For a comprehensive look at programs and resources available in Cambridge, please visit the Cambridge/Somerville Resource Guide.

Though not an exhaustive list, the following are some resources that Cambridge women may find helpful:

General

The Women’s Center 617.354.8897
46 Pleasant Street in Cambridge near Central Square

Has lists of resources and provides peer-led support groups for women on many issues. Review their mission and programs on line.

WAM! (Women, Action & the Media) 617.876.5310

Amplifies progressive women’s voices in the media. Whether a media producer, a PR strategist, a journalist, an activist, an academic, a community organizer, a feminist, a funder or philanthropist, a "citizen" media watchdog, a media policy advocate, an alternative-network-builder, a blogger, writer, teacher, artist, technology trainer, cartoonist, deejay, or anything else. Every day, WAM!mers help one another place op-eds and articles, get substantive media jobs, leverage new technology, hold the media accountable, produce and promote books, films, and other projects, get stories told about women’s lives and work, and change the very structure of the media itself.

Greater Boston Chapter of the National Organization for Women

Takes action to bring women into the mainstream of American society in truly equal partnership with men by working to ensure equality for all women in all areas of life. This includes ending discrimination, violence, and other harmful actions aimed toward women, promoting access to birth control and abortion and securing other reproductive rights for women, and combating racism, sexism and homophobia.

Child Care Resources

The Child Care Resource Center 617.547.9861

Maintains a list of area centers and provides information about available slots and income eligibility.

City of Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs 617.349.6200

Provides a number of child care and out-of-school time programs.

Domestic Violence

Emergency 911

Cambridge Police DV Unit 617.349.3371

DV Liaison (weekdays)

Transition House Hotline 617.661.7203

Transition House was New England’s first battered women’s shelter and currently offers an emergency shelter and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence, as well as education and prevention programs. (24 hours)

SafeLink 877.785.2020

(24 hours, English/Spanish)

Cambridge Public Health Department 617.665.3816

Violence Prevention Coordinator

Network La Red

Addresses battering in lesbian, bisexual women’s, and transgender communities.

Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence

Primarily serves immigrants and refugees from East, South, and Southeast Asia currently living in Massachusetts and New England suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, domestic violence.

Education/Training

The Learning Center

Provides free services to Cambridge residents. They serve adults who need basic education, English language and employment skills. CLC staff also create curriculum and work with adult education teachers from other agencies and with other community groups. Classes are run year-round, morning, afternoon, and evening.

Bunker Hill Community College: Cambridge Satellite 617.228.2420

Offers evening classes during the fall and spring semesters at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, 459 Broadway, Cambridge. The college offers a variety of courses in the computer, accounting, and early childhood development areas, as well as mathematics, English, and writing. The satellite campus offers a range of student services, including academic advising/counseling, enrollment information and information on federal financial aid and other tuition assistance programs.

Lesley University, Center for the Adult Learner 617.868.9600

The only center of its kind within any institution of higher education in New England. The Center was created to support adults, many of whom are juggling work and family responsibilities, to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Cambridge College 617.349.3480

Offers a unique environment where working adults can build their education on a lifetime of learning. Cambridge College recognizes diversity as an asset to the classroom, the community, and to society. Their innovative teaching and learning model helps adult students meet the challenges of higher education.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues

Cambridge Contacts

• Jeff Walker, Co-Chair, GLBT Commission, 617.665.3834
• Melody Brazo, Citywide GLBT Family Liaison, Cambridge Public Schools, 617.349.6727

Boston Pride 617.262.9405
398 Columbus Ave. #285, Boston, MA 02116

Works to enhance the visibility of Boston’s LGBT community through a week of events each June, in conjunction with year-round activities, to promote LGBT awareness, dignity, and understanding.

MassEquality 617.482.1600
11 Beacon Street, Suite 1125, Boston, MA 02108

MassEquality works to protect, promote and defend marriage equality and to advance lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.

Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) 617.426.1350
294 Washington Street; Suite 740, Boston, MA 02108

New England legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression.

Housing Issues

Cambridge Housing Authority

Develops, manages, and administers subsidized affordable housing for low-income elderly, family and disabled households. They develop and manage safe, good quality, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families in a manner that promotes citizenship, community and self-reliance.

Cambridge Human Rights Commission 617.349.4396

A city law enforcement agency that investigates complaints of discrimination that occur in Cambridge-in housing, employment, education and public accommodations.

Immigrant Women Resources

Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS)

Works with and for the Brazilian, Cape Verdean, Portuguese and other Portuguese-speaking communities to increase access and remove barriers to health, education and social services through direct services, advocacy, leadership and community development.

Ethiopian Community Mutual Assistance Association 617.492.4232

Provides information and referral services to low-income Ethiopian refugees and immigrants who are residents of Cambridge.

Haitian Coalition 617.625.6400

Helps Haitians organize to improve the economic, political, physical, and social environments in Somerville and Cambridge and provides services to Haitians living in surrounding communities.

Legal Assistance

Community Legal Services and Counseling Center 617.661.1010

The only volunteer-based agency of its kind in the area, combining legal assistance and mental health counseling.

National Lawyers Guild, Boston Office 617.227.7008

As a project of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, the Lawyer Referral Service is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide low- and moderate-income Massachusetts residents with legal services at reasonable rates. The initial phone consultation with a Referral Service attorney will be free. After discussing the legal issue, the attorney will determine if they can proceed with a case. Attorneys DO NOT provide free services but may offer reduced rates based on their caseload and their discretion.

Mental Health

Cambridge Health Alliance Psychiatric Emergency Services 617.665.1560

The Cambridge Hospital campus has a separate Psychiatric ER, which helps people in severe emotional distress.

Reaching Out About Depression (ROAD)

A community-based program created by and for women in low-income neighborhoods who are suffering with depression and its related issues. All services are offered free-of-charge.

Women Who Are Homeless

See also You Find Your Strength: A guide for women and their families who are homeless

Revere Beach DTA Office 781.286.7800 or 800.650.2560
300 Ocean Ave., Revere

Take the Blue Line T to Revere Beach station. Women with children seeking shelter should ask for the DHCD Worker.

On The Rise’s Safe Haven 617.497.7968

Works with women who are homeless and need a level of support that other programs may not be able to provide. The Safe Haven is a place where women can meet basic nutritional, hygiene and safety needs while also receiving flexible support. OTR is not a general drop-in program and women must meet with an advocate for an informal intake to determine whether OTR is the right fit. Open Wed & Fri 8am–4pm, and Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat 8am–2pm (closed the first Saturday of every month).

Health Care for the Homeless 617.591.6765

Medical staff provide primary care at the following walk-in clinics:

• Salvation Army 617.547.3400
  402 Mass Ave., Cambridge
  Mondays 1–3pm, Tuesdays 10am–Noon, Wednesdays 1–3pm (women only),
  Thursdays 9–11am, Fridays 9–11am (women only)
• Heading Home Women’s Drop-In 617.547.1885
  109 School St., Cambridge
  Wednesdays 11:30am–12:30pm (women only)
• CASPAR Emergency Service Center 617.661.0600
  240 Albany St., Cambridge
  Weekdays 8–11am, except Wednesdays 9–11am
• St. Patrick’s Shelter 617.628.3015
  270 Washington Street in Union Sq., Somerville
  Thursdays 4–8pm

Women of Means 889 Harrison Ave, Boston

Sponsors free health care for women, weekdays 8am–4pm at Rosie’s Place

Workplace Discrimination

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) 617.727.3990

Receives and investigates formal complaints of discrimination

Cambridge Human Rights Commission 617.349.4396

A department of city government, receives and investigates complaints

Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women 617.349.4697

We cannot investigate a charge of gender discrimination. However, staff members can offer information and referral.