Resources for Families
Whether you’re looking for information about college, health, housing, or back to school, here’s a list of services to help your family thrive.
Have a resource we should add? Let us know!
EDUCATION • EMPLOYMENT • HOUSING • FOOD • HEALTH • INTERNET & UTILITIES • TAXES • VIOLENCE PREVENTION
EDUCATION
Children’s Scholarship Fund – Offers scholarships ranging from $1,200 – $3,200 for Philly kids to attend K-8th grade tuition-based schools.
MindSet – A free program developed by Episcopal Community Services, MindSet uses a long-term approach that supports the whole person. They enable participants to develop all of the skills needed to become self-sufficient by providing training, individualized coaching, and mentorship in four core areas: Health and Wellness, Employment, Education, and Financial Management.
Philly Goes 2 College – Great resources on planning, applying for and paying for (lots of scholarship info) college
Scholarships! – Check out this list of scholarships on the Philadelphia Foundation’s page
EMPLOYMENT
Philadelphia OIC Reentry Program – Reentry program helps justice involved individuals make successful transitions back to the community. Program participants are provided with the support to overcome the many challenges and stigma of having a criminal record. Services provided: educational training, vocational training, career readiness and job placement assistance, continued support for one year after program completion.
Philadelphia Works – free employment services; can connect youth and young adults with workforce programs all year long
Play Streets Initiative – Accepting applications beginning Spring 2023; Being a Play Captain is kind of like being a Camp Counselor, right in your own neighborhood.
All Play Captains MUST: Love being outdoors in all summer weather, Love playing with children 4-13 years old, Be 15-19 years old by July 1, 2023
WorkReady – for those between 12-24 years old; get paid up to $1,000 for a summer work experience
WorkReady is a program in July-August for youth living in Philadelphia. This year, WorkReady Summer experiences will include safe in-person participation at least 3 days/week. Vaccinations are not required for WorkReady overall but may be required based on program or worksite requirements.
HOUSING
HUD Resource Locator – complete directory of all subsidized housing projects available through government housing programs
PA Housing Search – find listings of public or subsidized housing units in your area; search by number of rooms, rent price, accessibility needs, proximity to mass transit, schools and hospitals
Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) Low Income Housing Tax Credit – if you make less than 60% of Philly’s median income you can apply for this program (for a family of 4, this is $56,700 or less); head of household needs to provide a mailing address, phone number, SSN, DOB, gender, race, ethnicity and gross monthly income
PHA Project-Based Voucher Program – subsidized program for privately owned housing; PHA makes an agreement with owners so eligible tenants have to apy only 30% of their income on rent and PHA covers the rest. to be eligible you must make 50% of Philly’s median income or less (for a family of 4, this is $47,250 or less); you need to apply directly to a housing development – owners maintain their own waiting lists
Where to Turn Guide – list of resources from Project Home for people experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia
FOOD
Food distribution sites – as listed by the City of Philadelphia
Lasagna Love – Kindness is for everyone. No matter the reason for the need, your community wants to help. Let a neighbor deliver a home-cooked lasagna or main dish to your family one night.
Manna – MANNA cooks and delivers nutritious meals to neighbors in the Greater Philadelphia area who are battling a serious illness.
Philabundance – find free food near you
PHSYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH
Text “Brave” to 741-741 which connects to a Crisis Text Line, or Call1-800-273-TALK(8255) if you feel you are in crisis and need to talk NOW.
Medical Assistance – A step by step guide for how to obtain medical assistance in Philadelphia, and a list of resources for additional healthcare programs
Dental Resources – list of free and low-cost dental care clinics in Philadelphia
Center for Young Women’s Health – provides information about mental, physical and emotional health for young women
Crisis Center Resources – local mental health crisis centers
Drexel Psychological Services Center – Drexel Psychological Services Center is a training facility run by the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. The Center works to offer highly competent, scientifically informed treatments to residents of Philadelphia and surrounding areas at affordable rates. The Center conducts cutting-edge research related to the practice of psychology and provides doctoral students at Drexel University with experiential training.
GirlsHealth.gov – support and information for teenage girls about mental health and emotional well-being: recognize when to get help and who to turn to for support
Grief Resource for Children – Uplift Center for Grieving Children serves the Greater Philadelphia area. Uplift offers peer support groups for children and teens in grades K-12th who have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives. All programs for grieving children and families are provided free of charge.
Healthy Minds Philly – resources for mental health treatment services provided by People of Color, Black, or African American professionals
NVISION – resources to help navigate, and hopefully prevent, child bullying due to wearing glasses
Young Men’s Health – provides information about mental, physical and emotional health for young men
INTERNET & UTILITIES
Free Internet for pre-K – 12 Students – dial 211 to see if your family qualifies for no cost access to reliable internet service
Low Cost, High-Speed Internet at Home – you might qualify for free broadband internet or a $9.95/mo plan via the Federal Government’s Emergency Broadband Benefit
PECO Customer Assistance Program – PECO’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP) can give you a monthly credit on your PECO bill. The credit is based on your household’s gross income and energy use.
PGW Customer Responsibility Program – CRP is a customer assistance program that can help low-income customers better afford their PGW bills and keep their gas service on. CRP customers pay less each month and past debt is forgiven.
Philadelphia Water Department – programs that may help if you’re having problems paying your water bill or maintaining your service
TAXES
AARP Tax Aide Program – Free tax preparation during tax season at various sites. Available to answer tax questions year round.
Campaign for Working Families (CWF) – Free tax preparation services for people in Southeastern PA and Southern NJ who make under $65,000 a year.
IRS Free File – Free federal service that will help you file your federal, and in some cases, state income taxes online. You must make less than $73,000 a year.
VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Up the Block – Philly gun violence resources searchable by category or neighborhood
Violence Prevention Hotline – Call 211 24/7 and be connected with trained, trauma-informed professionals that can help with anything from conflict intervention to access to trauma resources after witnessing or experiencing violence to community support for vandalism, graffiti, litter and vacant lots