Resources

Andover Youth & Family Resources:

Town of Andover Information:

Andover Recreation Information:

Assistance Paying Rent / Utilities:

Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) & Emergency Rent and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA): 

The state-funded RAFT and ERMA programs are tools used by the Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) team to provide eligible households up to $10,000 per 12-month period that can be used to help retain their housing, avoid utility shut-off, obtain new housing, or otherwise avoid becoming homeless.

Rental & Mortgage Assistance:

The Town of Andover has launched a Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program for residents have lost income because of COVID-19. The Town has designated $200,000 of CARES Act funding to this program. The Town of Andover has partnered with Andover Community Trust to administer this program.

Eligible Andover residents will be able to receive up to one month's rent or mortgage, with a maximum of $5,000. Payments are made directly to landlords or lenders. 

For more information visit the Andover Community Trust site.

OTHER HOUSING INFORMATION

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Getting Help With Housing Costs During COVID-19

Eviction Diversion

Find Legal Assistance

 

Child Care Information:

Crisis Information:

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 741741. For Spanish: 1-866-628-9454 Connects individuals with counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat. 
  • Battered Women's Hotline - 1-800-899-4000
  • Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741 Anxious about coronavirus? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor. For anyone feeling anxious, depressed, suicidal, or experiencing any other unpleasant emotions and/or mental discomfort.
  • GLBT National Hotline - 888-843-4564 (Gay. Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender)
  • Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Referral Helpline - Referral agency for substance abuse support services: Inpatient, outpatient, and residential programs; along with self-help and family group meeting 1-800-327-5050 or 617-292-5065
  • National Association Mental Health (NAMI):1-800-950-NAMI or Text NAMI to 741-741 Nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with mental health conditions, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public.
  • Rape Crisis Hotline - 1-800-870-5905
  • Samaritans Statewide Helpline: 1-877-870-4673 Emotional support for anyone in Massachusetts.
  • Samaritan's Suicide Prevention Hotline - 617-247-0220
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Hotline:1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746

Disability Resources:

Eldercare Resources:

  • Andover Senior Center/The Robb Center: serves Andover’s 60+ population, where age is a credential, not a barrier; multi-service Senior Center providing on-site programming, including community resource identification; 978-623-8320.
  • AgeSpan: a private, nonprofit agency in northeast Massachusetts that helps people maintain their highest levels of independence, health, and safety as they age; AgeSpan also oversees the Protective Services Division, investigating cases of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; 978-683-7747.
  • MAOA: (Massachusetts Association of Older Americans): enriches the lives of elders through education, advocacy, and action on issues that impact elders.
  • Massachusetts Senior Care Association: information and searchable lists of assisted living, skilled nursing, and continuing care retirement communities in Massachusetts.

Employment Resources:

Mobile Food Pantry at the Robb Center The Mobile Food Pantry will provide bags of non-perishable groceries on the second 
Wednesday of every month in 2023 from 9:00am-11:00am in collaboration with Andover Elder Services.

LOCATION
 The Robb Center
 30 Whittier Ct.
 Andover, MA

Project Bread Food Source Hotline: If you or your family is facing hunger right now, Project Bread wants to help.Call the FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333

SNAP Benefits (formerly food stamps) are administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help you expand your healthy food budget and explore opportunities to support your wellbeing and education and employment goals. Check this flyer to see if you are eligible for SNAP benefits
Apply for food assistance (SNAP), It takes only 20 minutes!

Health Resources:

  • AMA Doctor Finder: list of members of the AMA searchable by state and specialty.
  • Centers for Disease Control: health topics A-Z with links to statistics sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
  • Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs: information on prescription and generic drugs from Consumer Reports.
  • Healthcare Blue Book: a database of fair prices for medical procedures by location.
  • Healthfinder.gov: health information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Inner Body: a guide to human anatomy online.
  • Lowell General Hospital Web Library: consumer health sites organized by subject.
  • Massachusetts Health Connector: The Health Connector is a state-based health insurance Marketplace that makes shopping for affordable health and dental coverage easier for Massachusetts individuals, families, and small businesses.
  • Massachusetts Physician Profiles: information about the education and training of licensed physicians in Massachusetts.
  • Mayo Clinic: consumer health resource maintained by the Mayo Clinic.
  • Medlineplus.com: health information from the National Library of Medicine.
  • Merck Manuals: Professional and consumer versions of one of the world's most widely used medical information resources.
  • Merck Veterinary Manual: Concise, easy-to-use, comprehensive reference that covers the diversity of species and animal diseases worldwide.
  • National Cancer Institute: comprehensive information on cancer.
  • NBCancerResource.org: a comprehensive resource guide to help people living with cancer North of Boston.
  • Oncolink: cancer information provided by the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center; includes consumer information causes and prevention information.
  • WebMD: provides valuable health information, tools for managing your health, and support to those who seek information.

Health Insurance:

Massachusetts Health Connector: The Health Connector is a state agency and health insurance marketplace that makes coverage available to people who recently lost their insurance from their employer. Most people who apply through the Health Connector can get a plan for a low monthly cost, and some people even qualify for a $0 monthly payment. All Health Connector plans cover services like doctor visits, emergency care, physical therapy, and prescription drugs. When you fill out an application online, you’ll find out right away if you qualify for a health plan from the Health Connector or coverage through MassHealth.

Masshealth: In Massachusetts, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are combined into one program called MassHealth. MassHealth members may be able to get doctors’ visits, prescription drugs, hospital stays, and many other important services.

Language Resources:

  • Babelfish: free online translation service.
  • Duolingo: learn languages completely free, without ads or hidden charges.
  • Google translate: translate text, web pages, and documents; more than 40 languages included.
  • Learn a Language: Exercises to learn words and phrases.
  • Radio Garden: Tune into thousands of live radio stations across the globe.

Parent Education Youth - Ages 9 to 18 years:

  • Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
  • Center for Disease Control Mental Health Tools and Resources https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/tools-resources/index.htm
  • Drug-Free- All the latest information to help parents prevent your children from turning to drugs and alcohol
  • Drug Abuse- Drug information and facts, education materials, curriculum guides, classroom tools, and more
  • govprovides information about various drugs including heroin and prescription drugs. This page is useful for both parents/guardians and adolescents.
  • John Knight - The founder and director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research ( CeASAR) at Children's Hospital Boston and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. For his presentation on the effects of substance use on adolescent development please visit Teen Safe.
  • Exceptional Lives: Free, easy-to-use Guides for parents of children with disabilities
  • orgexplains different drugs in a manner that is useful for both parents/guardians and kids.
  • Kids, Teens, and Money: government resources for kids and teens about online safety, advertising literacy, identity theft and scams
  • Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey
  • The Addiction Recovery Management Service(ARMS) - Specializes in supporting teenagers and young adults between the ages of 15 and 25, and their families, as they deal with substance-related problems.
  • govis useful for parents hoping to learn more about drugs. SAMHSA also allows parents/guardians to find treatment for their children/loved ones.
  • The Intervention eBookthat describes how to intervene when you believe that your child or loved one is using drugs or drinking alcohol. Parents/guardians will find this especially useful.
  • This guideprovides information for parents/guardians about prescription drugs.
  • Underage Drinking- Get the facts, the tools, and the advice you need to start talking real.

Legal Resources:

Screenings:

Mental Health Screening Tool:

If you have been feeling sad, blue, stressed, anxious, or generally out of sorts, one of these screenings may help you decide if you should consult with your physician or seek mental health treatment. We invite you to take this free, confidential online screening for mood and anxiety disorders. The screening is provided so that you may find out quickly and easily whether professional consultation would be helpful for you. You can access our screenings HERE

Online Screening Tool For Substance Use Addiction: https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/substance-abuse-screening

Subsidized Housing Resources:

CHAMP (Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Public-Housing): CHAMP is the website where you can apply for state-aided public housing. Through the online system, this website lets you submit your application to one or more housing authorities, instead of having to mail or hand deliver an application to each housing authority separately. You can also keep your application information up-to-date on this website as it changes. This will help you to make sure that housing authorities know how to contact you.

Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8, is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, elders, and people with disabilities to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.

Volunteering Resources:

All for Good: helps you find ways to "do good"
Habitat for Humanity: brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope
Idealist.org: a portal for everyone interested in nonprofit organizations and issues, nonprofit careers, volunteering, events, and resource
Volunteer Match: connects people with nonprofits that need volunteers
Volunteer.gov: a United States Federal Government portal which lists volunteer opportunities on public lands in the United States.