Social Services

Additional community information is available in the Community Information Service collection found in each Branch Library. Please ask for more information.

Related Subjects

• Domestic Violence / Abusive Relationships
  
• Food Pantries
  

Links

• Health & Human Services Directory -- iSafetyNet.US
  A comprehensive directory of web links and online services for all sectors of the public and private health and human services field. Links to information for and about older Americans, children and families, medical and health services, mental health and substance abuse services, disaster relief, and minority services.
  
  
• New York City 311
  311 provides access to non-emergency City government services. All calls to 311 are answered by a live operator, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and services are provided in over 170 languages. Dial 311 from within the City or (212) NEW YORK outside of the five boroughs. TTY service is also available by dialing (212) 504-4115.
  
  
• The Beehive
  Information on money, health, school, jobs, and family.
  
  
• Ready New York -- Emergency Preparedness Guide
  A citywide household preparedness campaign that offers a comprehensive suite of tips and information designed to help New Yorkers better prepare for all types of emergencies.
  
  
• CARES Directory
  Comprehensive database of voluntary and public social and health agencies serving New York City. Includes charitable organizations, government offices and programs, hospitals, etc.
  
  
• Working Families in New York City Resource Guide
  Information on public benefits programs and tax credits available to working families, including child care, health care, food/nutrition programs, Head Start and pre-Kindergarten, housing subsidies, and help with utility bills.
  
  
• New York City Coalition Against Hunger
  The New York City Coalition Against Hunger represents the more than 1,000 non-profit soup kitchens and food pantries in NYC, and the more than one million low-income New Yorkers who are forced to use them. The Coalition works to both meet the immediate food needs of low income New Yorkers, and enact innovative solutions to poverty to help them move "beyond the soup kitchen" to self sufficiency.
  
  
• Human Services for Asian Americans in Metropolitan New York Directory
  Listing of resources includes program descriptions, contact, eligibility requirements, costs, and populations served. Includes health and human services, community resources, additional contact numbers, and special media organizations.
  
  
• Self-Help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer (SHARE)
  Offers peer-led support to women with breast or ovarian cancer, their families, and friends. Services include hotlines, survivor-led support groups, wellness programs, educational forums, outreach programs, and advocacy activities.
  
  
• Epilepsy Institute
  A non-profit social service organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with epilepsy and their families. Program services are available to residents of New York City and Westchester County.
  
  
• NYC VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) Program
  A free 24-hour hotline service that provides information about the custody status of caller-specified inmates in New York City Department of Correction jails and initiates automated notifications to registered callers about the release of those inmates.
  
  
• Benefits Counseling
  Public Benefits Resource Center (PBRC) volunteers from the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program / ACES Program can offer people of all ages information on government benefits, answer questions, make referrals, advocate to individuals, and assist with applications to obtain services and benefits.
  
  
• Asian American Federation of New York
  A nonprofit leadership organization created to help unite New York City’s diverse Asian American communities by providing community services and identifying critical needs of Asian Americans. The Federation offers management, financial, and technical assistance to 35 member agencies and other emerging organizations that directly provide health and human services to the public.
  
  
• Health Care Proxy
  Information about appointing a health care agent to make health care decisions for you if you lose the ability to make decisions yourself. Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian.
  
  
• LawHelp
  LawHelp contains information to help people with low and moderate incomes find legal resources.
  
  
• Volunteer Opportunities (New York Cares)
  Founded in 1987, New York Cares provides volunteer projects that are hands-on, team-based, and flexibly scheduled, embracing virtually every volunteer interest.
  
  
• Supplemental Security Income in New York
  Information about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration
  
  
• Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario en Nueva York
  Information about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration in Spanish