Programs from Family and Children Service of Greater Lynn.
Family and Children Service, based in Lynn Massachusetts, offers support which is combined with case management and emergency aid from FFS. There are several components of the programs, ranging from applications to grants, intake, consumer workshops, and crisis help for food and other needs. The non-profit supports residents in Essex County, including Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus, Lynn and Swampscott. More information is below.
Anyone that is struggling will need to meet with a counselor. The process will involve staff talking with the head of the family to asses their problem as well as the cause of it. They will review their income and other factors. Based on the result of this, assistance may be provided as part of the United Way sponsored Family Financial Stability Program (FFS). Or the may offer referral as well as follow-up to see that the services were obtained.
Counseling is part of the case management process, as noted below. This will be required for any people that seek financial help. The process will help all parties determine what additional help is needed and if the family would benefit from additional advice, such as long-term counseling.
Family and Children Service of Greater Lynn provides emergency assistance when no other resource is available to the individuals. Assistance comes from donations from local churches as well as area ministries. Or grants are used from the United Way or the federal government and their emergency shelter and food program. Funds can be used to everything from heating bills to back rent or water expenses. As noted, FFS is a last resort only, and people need to have applied for other government benefits or charity programs in Essex County first.
Other grants could potentially be offered on a limited basis for qualified clients who are facing unexpected needs, such as transportation, death in the family, and medical bill expenses. Trained social services staff and volunteers work to connect the vulnerable with other area service providers, even including benefits such as disability if needed.
Some of this support is offered as preventing homelessness is one of the best tools for breaking the cycle of poverty. So they will do their best to offer emergency assistance to prevent eviction and utility shut offs. Or their can be government grant applications from Family and Children Service of Greater Lynn that can assist households in danger of losing their water, electricity, or heat.
If funds are available from Family and Children Service and the applicant meets income and other conditions, then they will be offered an in-depth interview. All clients need to be sure to bring the requested documents related to their particular financial situation. Or they can get referrals as noted below.
The Agency also has access to local free food pantries throughout the area that are operated by area ministries. The locations have volunteers that are working closely with the agency in passing out groceries and other items. For example, the Salvation Army and other groups such as the Untied Way assist Family and Children Service in purchasing food for these pantries and paying rental deposits. The pantry also receives support from a variety of sources, including the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), churches, and Feeding America.
Food Pantries in Swampscott, Lynnfield and other towns are good when the household budget is stretched to the max. Lower income members of the community can turn to the centers for short-term emergency assistance. Visitors to the pantry are provided with free groceries, meals and food which includes a nutritional balance of items.
There are programs for Early Childhood Development at the Family Resource Center. Another service is the Guardianship program as well as Elder Care Management. This resources are available to help the development or children as well as protect senior citizens in the Lynn area.
The Family and Children Service case management process will involve determining the condition of the client’s financial condition. The information is used to create budgets, set goals, help meet employment needs, and more. Other topics include employment and credit counseling. The process will also offer other types of assistance needed to develop an overall plan for self sufficiency. Through information and referrals, goals will be met.
Adult Literacy as well as GED preparation is one component. This service provides the opportunity for working poor individuals or even immigrants to participate in free GED classes (including accessing books and other training materials). This can be combined with ESL as well as free financial literacy training, and many schools, community colleges, and other community organizations help arrange this.
Information and Referral files are available to connect senior citizens and the low income with needed assistance in northern Massachusetts. There are also resources for single parents in Essex County. The goal is to provide accurate, current information as quickly as possible to the family for their emergency situation. Learn about Free Prescriptions, Local Transportation, Senior Housing, Local, State & Federal Government Assistance Programs in Massachusetts, and other Social Services.
Clients can be referred to benefits such as SNAP Food stamps, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Other common request is for SSI disability applications. The staff will provide information on this for long term support, as it can clients for months or years to come. EBT cards can be issued across the state of Massachusetts to help families in poverty pay for their groceries and other living items they need.
The resource center run by Family and Children Service of Greater Lynn is based at 111 North Common Street. Residents need to call (781) 592-5052 to determine if funds are available.
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