COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Emergency Response

Action Inc. is here to help! We remain committed to our mission and will continue to serve the community in the face of current challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While our Main Office (180 Main St.) and Energy Office (47 Washington St.) are now temporarily closed, we continue to provide services via phone appointments and email.

At this time, our Emergency Shelter is operating at full capacity. Please contact 978-283-4125 or shelter@actioninc.org with inquiries.

All Main Office and Energy Office services will be available Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. If you have general inquiries or questions, please call 978-282-1000 or help@actioninc.org. You can also live chat with our team members here on our website.

For program-specific questions or issues please use the following contact information:

All messages are being picked up and responded to throughout the day.

We greatly appreciate your patience as we adjust to new ways to stay connected, provide critical services, and help folks through this difficult time.

For help with housing advocacy, rental assistance, or other housing-related issues, please call our Main Office at 978-282-1000 and leave a message, or email us at help@actioninc.org.

Community Support

The Open Door - Food Pantry & Meals

The Open Door provides take-out meals, a food pantry, and other emergency food resources

North Shore Community Health

Community medical, dental, and behavioral health clinic

  • Gloucester Family Health Center: 978-282-8899

SeniorCare

Elder Services such as homecare, Meals on Wheels, wellness programs, elder protective services, advocacy, and support

HAWC

Support for people experiencing domestic violence or abuse, with offices continuing to help people in both Salem & Gloucester

  • Emergency Hotline:  1-800-547-1649

Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA) Updated Schedule (pdf)

The new CATA bus schedule as of May 4, 2020

Free Meals for all Gloucester Public Schools Students (pdf)

Meal distribution schedule for students

Gloucester Health Department Mental Health Support Line

A Free program to help residents navigate the mental health care system and provide dedicated support

  • Assistance is available Monday through Friday from 9 am - 5 pm by calling:  781-540-3329

Employment & Income

Unemployment Benefits Flowchart (pdf)

The CARES Act provides enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for Massachusetts workers. This chart explains what you need to know and what you need to do to get unemployment assistance

MA Unemployment Virtual Town Halls

The MA department of Unemployment Assistance holds virtue town halls online to give updates and answer questions

IRS - Stimulus for Non-Tax Filers

Fill out the information on this IRS website if you have not filed taxes in 2018 or 2019

IRS - Tax Filing

Information about filing taxes online. The deadline to file your 2019 taxes has now been extended to July 15, 2020

MA Department of Marine Fisheries

Information & updates for commercial fisherman and those in the seafood industry

MA Department of Unemployment Assistance

General information about unemployment benefits

MA Department of Transitional Assistance

Apply for or manage cash benefits and SNAP

National Consumer Law Center

A guide to help families navigate and protect their financial life

Instructions on Filing for Unemployment Benefits (pdf)

Step-by-step instructions on how to apply for unemployment benefits online

Mass. Cultural Council - Funding for Artists

A list of funding sources for artists who have lost income

Provisions for Unemployment Assistance - U.S. House Ways & Means (pdf)

Free Assistance with Unemployment Applications - Northeast Legal Aid

View this pdf for more information about getting help applying for unemployment benefits

Youth Friendly Job Openings on Cape Ann

This is a frequently updated google doc with current jobs available for youth (or anyone!) on Cape Ann

Child Tax Credit 2021

Monthly tax credit payments for families. Learn more or sign up if you did not file 2020 taxes

Health & Family

Parents Helping Parents Support Groups

Online parenting support groups. Join this parenting group on zoom via computer or smart phone. Dial in by phone by calling: 1-646-558-8656 then input the meeting id 6607380697

  • PARENTAL STRESS LINE (24/7) :  1-800-632-8188

Children's Trust Online Play & Parent Groups

Resources to support parents and children, as well as information on COVID-19

State of MA COVID-19 Info & Updates

Up-to-date information about COVID-19 from the MA Dept. of Public Health. For Text Alerts: text 'COVIDMA' to 888-777; Spanish text 'COVIDMAESP' to 888-777

MA Humane Society

Help with food, medicine, and other supplies for pet owners. Email mahumane@aol.com or call 781-335-1300

Massachusetts 2-1-1

Resource line that connects people to health and human services available in their area

  • Dial '211' from any phone
 

Lifeline

Free or low-cost phone and internet services

National Center for Transgender Equality

Extensive list of resources and support for the LGBTQ community

SafeLink Hotline - Emergency Support for Abuse (pdf)

Confidential, 24/7 emergency hotline for those experiencing emotional, physical, or sexual abuse

Emergency Broadband Benefit

This program is designed to help households struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic and offers monthly discounts up to $50.

National Grid Arrears Management Program (AMP)

AMP offers forgiveness for past-due energy bills and account with balances over $300.

ONE STOP Prevention & Screening Services

Outreach, Needle Exchange, Sexual health, Testing, & Overdose Prevention (ONE STOP) provides free and confidential harm reduction services

Learn to Cope

Local support network that offers resources, education, peer support, and hope to parents and families dealing with a loved one's drug use

Housing & Shelter

Northeast Legal Aid - Family Shelter

Support for families that have been denied access to family shelter

DHCD Memo Regarding Evictions and Housing Court (pdf)

Pdf memo urging all affordable housing owners to suspend evictions and housing court cases

Housing & Eviction Information from DHCD

DHCD's COVID-19 website with recent information regarding evictions, court, and housing programs

MA Emergency Housing Assistance Programs

Info on emergency housing

Housing Rights Information for Residents of Cape Ann (pdf)

Our Housing Attorney Lori Fonseca provides info for tenants, landlords, and homeowners regarding housing laws during the COVID-19 pandemic

Eviction Lab - Federal Eviction Moratorium

Info and resources related to the Federal Eviction Moratorium, currently in place to protect tenants

RAFT & ERMA (Emergency Rental Assistance)

Instructions in English & Spanish on how to apply for emergency rental assistance

Mental Health Support

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Mental health resources and support

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  • Emergency Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Good Samaritans Crisis Line: 1-877-870-4673

Center for Disease Control - Stress & Coping

Tips on taking care of your emotional & mental well-being amid the COVID-19 outbreak

Massachusetts 2-1-1

Resource line that connects people to health and human services available in their area

  • Dial '211' from any phone
 

mindful.org

Mindfulness & meditation resources

Gloucester Health Department Mental Health Support Line

A Free program to help residents navigate the mental health care system and provide dedicated support

  • Assistance is available Monday through Friday from 9 am - 5 pm by calling:  781-540-3329

Recovery & Substance Use Support

Alcoholics Anonymous Online

Boston Medical Center Recovery Resources

Recovery resources from the Grayken Center for Addiction at BMC

Online & Phone Recovery Support Listing (pdf)

This is an extensive list of online recovery groups and supports

Smart Recovery Community

Online support groups for recovery issues

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline

Website with resources and confidential, free 24-hour a day phone line for individuals and family members facing substance use or mental health issues

  • English and Spanish: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Find Treatment

Extensive list of recovery options and treatment locations at findtreatment.gov

ONE STOP Prevention & Screening Services

Outreach, Needle Exchange, Sexual health, Testing, & Overdose Prevention (ONE STOP) provides free and confidential harm reduction services

Learn to Cope

Local support network that offers resources, education, peer support, and hope to parents and families dealing with a loved one's drug use