FAQs

Get Your Questions Answered

Catholic Charities assists tens of thousands of people each year. We help to move families from crisis to stability to self-sufficiency.

Family & Youth Services

Absolutely. Our child care centers are a mix of private and financially-assisted families. We pride ourselves in being a multicultural, multilingual and socioeconomically diverse community. Learn more about our Child Care Services.

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) provides financial assistance to eligible families seeking care at early education, care, or out-of-school programs. Families must meet income and activity requirements to be eligible for EEC financial assistance. Due to limited funding, eligible families may be placed on the EEC waiting list for financial assistance until funding becomes available. Visit the EEC website to learn more.

Basic Needs

Catholic Charities Boston operates five food pantries in Dorchester, the South End of Boston, Brockton, Lowell, and Somerville. Find the pantry closest to you.

Catholic Charities operates five shelters across Eastern Massachusetts, the majority of which are referral-based:

  • Family shelters – These shelters are filled by referral from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Currently DHCD staff is working remotely and the housing field office may be accessed through the DHCD Remote Access Line at 1-866-584-0653.
  • Emergency women’s shelter – Located in Somerville, St. Patrick’s Shelter for Homeless Women houses 30 women in emergency beds on a night-by-night basis. For more information, call (617) 628-3015.
  • Treatment shelter – This shelter program for women is located in Newton. Referrals come through the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS).
  • Young mothers – Brigid’s Crossing Shelter for Young Mothers is located in Lowell and is filled by referrals from the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

We help families in crisis find stability and rebuild their lives by providing emergency fuel, rental, and utility assistance. Priority is giving to clients who:

  • Have received utility shut-off notices or court summons for eviction
  • Live in public housing and have been served with a notice to quit letter from the property manager, property attorney, or constable
  • Are in need of emergency fuel assistance
  • Need to move due to safety or emergency reasons (i.e., domestic violence, moving from shelter to stable housing, etc.)

Please visit our living assistance page to find the contact information of the closest basic needs office.

Refugee & Immigrant Services

Oral interpretation rates are hourly and based on interpreter availability and language. Written translations are priced per document depending on word count, language, complexity, format, and deadline. Translated documents have included Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), brochures, employee handbooks, and birth certificates. We will need to view the document to prepare a price quote. Please call 617-464-8100 or e-mail cis_request@ccab.org for information.

Please send your resume to cis_request@ccab.org or call 617-464-8100. We will then schedule an interview with you based on our needs and your background.

Unfortunately our refugee and immigrant legal services team is unable to accept new consultations. Please contact us for a referral list or other organizations in the area that may be able to assist. If you are looking for information regarding Ukranians, please visit our Ukraine FAQ page.

Adult Education & Workforce Development

Visit our High School Equivalency page to learn about our programs.

Currently we offer the nurse assistant/home health aide program in South Boston. Due to COVID-19, Brockton’s program is temporarily closed but will reopen soon. Learn more.

Call the ESOL program near you to learn about your options and how to enroll.

Volunteer

Our current volunteer opportunities may be found on this page.

For specific or group inquiries, please contact Holly Clark, Director of Volunteer Services, at holly_clark@ccab.org.

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