Resources in Quaboag Hills
413Cares includes resources for the 413, but also the 508, 774, and other area codes. You can use the search bar to enter any zip code in the country to find resources.
This page organizes key resources in the Quaboag Hills regions. It was developed in collaboration with the Quaboag Hills Community Coalition to help residents to find the key services in the following towns: Belchertown, Brimfield, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Holland, Monson, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Palmer, Spencer, Wales, Ware, Warren, and West Brookfield.
*Please contact us if we are missing any information or resources.
Food
Food Pantries
Find a
list of food pantries in Belchertown, Brimfield, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Monson, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Palmer, Spencer, Wales, Ware, and West Brookfield. You can filter the list by your zip code to show the pantries that serve your town.
WIC Offices
- Warren, Spencer, Southbridge: South Central WIC
- Barre: North Central WIC
More Food Resources
- Older adults can often find meals at a nearby Councils on Aging or Senior Centers [LINK TO ANCHOR]
- 413Cares has more information and resources on the Food Resource page.
- Healthy Quaboag leads a Food Policy Council to improve the local food system.
Housing
Housing Consumer Education Centers
Housing Consumer Education Centers provide a range of housing support and resources for residents in need of affordable housing. They are often the first point of contact for people in need of housing counseling, supportive programs, and resources. We assist tenants, landlords, homebuyers, and homeowners.
- Hampden and Hampshire Counties: Way Finders
- Housing Centers locations in:
- Springfield (1780 Main St) - call 800-332-9667
- Holyoke (193 Chestnut St, Suite 2) - call 413-233-1500
- Northampton (256 Pleasant St) - call 413-233-1500
- Phone lines are open 9am-4pm
- Open for walk-in visitors Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4pm.
- In-person assistance with RAFT applications available Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-1pm in Springfield only.
- Learn more on their website
- Worcester County: RCAP Solutions
- Call 800-488-1969
- Visit their
website
Affordable Housing
Find a list of housing authorities in Belchertown, Brimfield, Monson, North Brookfield, Palmer, Spencer, Warren, West Brookfield and Ware. You can filter the list by your zip code to show the housing authorities that serve your town.
If you are an older adult looking for housing resources, check out our page for older adults
[link to it].
Housing consumer education centers offer a variety of housing education services and information.
- Way Finders serves Hampshire and Hampden County.
- Contact them at 413-233-1500.
- RCAP Solutions serves Worcester County.
- Contact them at
800-488-1969.
Utility/Rental Assistance and Home Modification
- New Braintree: Tri-Parish Community Church Deacon’s Fund
- North Brookfield: North Brookfield Hearts for Heat (seasonal fuel assistance)
- Sturbridge:
St. Vincent d Paul – Basic Needs Services
- Hampshire & Hampden Counties:
- Community Action Pioneer Valley (several programs, including weatherization)
- Way Finders
- Worcester County:
RCAP Solutions
More Housing Information
- Find more resources and information for individuals in western MA on our Housing Resource page.
- Healthy Quaboag leads a Community Health Improvement Plan, and housing is a priority focus area.
Goods
Find basic goods and necessities at the following:
- Belchertown: United Church of Christ Boutique of Treasures
- Sturbridge:
St. Vincent de Paul Basic Needs Services
Transportation
Find local transportation services in the Quaboag region:
- Quaboag Hills towns: Quaboag Connector
- Ware: Recovery Center of Hope Guiding Rides
- Provides transportation to Springfield methadone clinics and rides to treatment, providers and other recovery supports (through referral or request)
- Worcester County: Worcester Regional Transit Authority
- Provides public transit and ADA paratransit services
- Hampden & Hampshire Counties: Pioneer Valley Transit Authority
- Provides public transit and transit services for older adults and people with disabilities
- Senior Centers frequently offer transportation services. Call your local Senior Center. (link to Senior Citizens category)
Healthy Quaboag leads a Community Health Improvement Plan, and transportation is a priority focus area.
Health (Behavioral Health and Medical Care)
Many health-related services require health insurance. We also recommend that you contact your insurer for a comprehensive list of providers that are covered by your insurance.
Medical Care
- Multiple locations: Baystate Health Wellness on Wheels
- Palmer: Baystate Wing Hospital
- Palmer: Fresenius Kidney Care
- Older adults: SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone)
- Provides Medicare-eligible people and their caregivers with info on plan options and ways to save money.
Mental Health
- Brimfield: Center for Human Development – Children’s Behavioral Therapy
- Palmer:
Green Valley Counseling
- Spencer:
Center Tree Counseling
- Wilbraham: Rick’s Place Grief Support
- Worcester County: Seven Hills Foundation and Affiliates programs:
- Individual, Couples, and Family Counseling
- Child and Family Counseling
- Other Resources:
- Trauma-Informed Hampshire County helps connect people with local resources and support to address the impact of trauma, prevent re-traumatization, reduce suffering, and promote healing.
- Find more resources on our mental health resource page
Substance Use
- Belchertown:
CleanSlate Outpatient Addiction Medicine
- Belchertown:
Honest Beginnings - The Nest Community Recovery Center
- Ware:
Recovery Center of Hope
- Ware: Gándara Center - Cornerstone Recovery Program for Young Women
- Quaboag Hills Substance Use Alliance helps connect people with local prevention, treatment, and recovery resources.
Find more resources on our addiction resource page.
Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault
- Worcester County: Pathways for Change
- Hampshire County:
- StopItNow!
- Safe Passage
- UMass Center for Women & Community 24/7 Hotline
- Hampden County:
- YWCA
- Statewide:
A Call For Change Helpline
Other Health Resources
- Mill Towns Public Health serves Palmer, Warren, and West Brookfield and does health education, community outreach, and connects people to resources.
- Healthy Quaboag leads a Community Health Improvement Plan with mental health and access to health care providers as two priority focus areas; has a Rural Vaccine Equality Initiative; and offers Hopeful Hills Youth Initiative and Youth Mental Health First Aid to support youth health and wellbeing.
Money
Find programs that provide financial support in the following areas:
- Ware: Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation's Learn and Save program
- Provides financial education and matched savings program for low-income residents.
- Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden County towns: Community Action Pioneer Valley offers several programs that support low-income residents.
- Worcester County: Worcester Community Action Council offers several programs to assist low and moderate income residents.
- The Department for Transitional Assistance offers cash assistance and other benefits for low-income individuals and families. Find your local DTA office.
Care for Children, Youth, and Families
These programs provide a range of support and resources for families in the Quaboag area:
- Ware: Behavioral Health Network Family Resource Center
- Warren:
Collaborative for Educational Services –
Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Programs
Childcare and Early Education
- Seven Hills Foundation provides child care referrals and vouchers in Franklin, Hampden and Worcester Counties.
- Child Care and Head Start Programs:
- East Brookfield & Southbridge: Worcester Community Action Council's Head Start
- Ware: Behavioral Health Network KIDSTOP Children’s Center
- Ware:
Community Action Pioneer Valley's Head Start
Youth
- Hardwick: Hardwick Youth Center
- Worcester County: Worcester Community Action Council offers several programs for youth.
Caregivers
Education
Head Start
- East Brookfield & Southbridge: Worcester Community Action Council's Head Start
- Ware: Behavioral Health Network KIDSTOP Children’s Center
- Ware: Community Action Pioneer Valley's Head Start
School to Career Programs
GED/HiSET and ESOL Programs
- Palmer: Top Floor Learning
- Ware: The Literacy Project
- Ware: Under Five Thrive
- Offers high school equivalency support and testing, child care, parent education and support groups, and other services for parents
Computer Skills Training
- Palmer: Top Floor Learning Computer Basics
- Ware:
QVCDC Computer Training
Healthy Quaboag has an Education to Employment project to help improve opportunities in the region.
Work
MassHire offers job and career assistance across the state for all individuals including youth, veterans, people in recovery, and people with disabilities.
Other employment support for people with disabilities:
- Palmer: Sunshine Village offers employment support for people with disabilities
- Springfield and Worcester:
MassAbility - NextGen Careers Program
Healthy Quaboag has an Education to Employment project to help improve opportunities in the region.
Legal
- Community Legal Aid provides legal services related to housing, employment, family, elders, veterans, education, reentry and more. Office locations are in Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton, and Worcester.
- Worcester and West Springfield: Ascentria Care Alliance Immigration Legal Assistance
- Belchertown and Boston: Victim Rights Law Center for civil legal issues for sexual assault victims
- East Brookfield:
New Hope – SAFEPLAN offers crisis intervention, safety planning and assistance with the criminal justice system
Find more resources on our legal resource page.
Older Adults
Aging Service Access Points (ASAPs)
All ASAP organizations provide programs and services that support adults aged 60 and older, and their caregivers. Services include exploring care options; providing assistance with nutrition and food security, housing, health, home care, financial wellness, transportation, and safety. Find your local ASAP in the Quaboag region below.
- Brimfield, Holland, Palmer, Wales, Monson: Greater Springfield Senior Services
- Call 413-781-8800 to get help from one of their Resource Specialists
- Warren, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Brookfield, Spencer: Tri-Valley, Inc.
- Call 508-949-6640 or 800-286-6640 to speak with a Resource Specialists
- Ware & Belchertown: Access Care Partners (formerly WestMass ElderCare)
- Call 413-538-9020 to get help from their Resource Specialists
- Hardwick & New Braintree: Elder Services of Worcester Area
- Call 508-756-1545 to talk with one of their Resource Specialists
Senior Centers (aka Councils on Aging)
Senior centers (aka Councils on Aging) provide a variety of services such as food, health clinics, transportation, social activities, navigation to other services, and more. Contact your local senior center to discover the specific services available.
Find a
list of senior centers/councils on aging in Belchertown, Brimfield, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Barre/Hardwick, Holland, Monson, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Palmer, Spencer, Wales, Ware, Warren, and West Brookfield. You can filter the list by your zip code to show the centers that serve your town.
Other Resources for Seniors
- Ware: Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation - Senior Outreach
- Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin Counties:
- RSVP of Pioneer Valley
- RSVP Healthy Bones and Balance
- Worcester County:
- Family Services of Central MA - RSVP Volunteers
- Family Services of Central Massachusetts - Senior Companion Programs
Veterans
Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) are available in every town and city across Western Massachusetts. They provide free, personalized assistance with applying for benefits, filing VA claims, and connecting to healthcare, housing, mental health, and other local support services.
- Find your local VSO online.
- You can also call the Executive Office of Veterans Services, 617-210-5480 and ask for your VSO's name and contact information.
Find many other important services and information for veterans:
More Resources
Community HELP
CommunityHELP.net is another doorway into the same platform as 413Cares. It is managed by UMass Memorial and works to ensure every individual has access to a wide variety of resources for better health and wellness. Both 413Cares and Community Help are powered by Findhelp.
Search for more services
Enter your zip code or using one of our resource pages below to find more resources in Western MA and beyond.
Connect with key resources in all 4 Western MA counties related to these common areas of need.
Food
Housing
Mental Health
Substance Use
Digital
Legal
Reentry
Immigrants
Older Adults
Veterans
LGBTQIA+
Quaboag Hills
Warming & Cooling Centers
Mentoring
Search for other resources
Connect with key resources in these common areas of need.
Food
Housing
Mental Health
Substance Use
Digital
Legal
Reentry
Immigrants
Older Adults
Veterans
LGBTQIA+
Quaboag Hills
Warming & Cooling Centers
