Dedham Covid-19 Relief Fund:

The Dedham COVID-19 Relief Fund, established by Dedham Town Manager Leon Goodwin, the Select Board and other community leaders in partnership with United Way of Massachusetts Bay, will help individuals and families who have been financially impacted by this coronavirus pandemic with a focus on our most economically vulnerable neighbors.

As COVID-19 reverberates across hospitals, offices, schools and homes, Dedham residents are struggling with how the disease, and its economic fallout, will impact their ability to eat, stay in their homes and ensure access to medical care and other critical supplies. This fund was established to mobilize those who can give to do so generously to support their neighbors.

Learn more and donate at https://unitedwaymassbay.org/covid-19/local-funds/dedham/.

Resource Line:

For Dedham residents who may need additional help or assistance need help, a Resource Line has been established at Dedham Town Hall. Dedham residents are encouraged to call (781) 751-9126 to be connected to available resources.

The Resource Line is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. During non-business hours, residents can leave a voicemail that will be returned the next business day. Translation services are currently available in Spanish and Arabic.

Dedham Food Pantry:

The Dedham Food Pantry distributes over 22,000 bags of food annually to more than 400 households. Clients include families with children, the disabled, and senior citizens who may have fallen into hard times due to loss of employment, reduction in benefits, or just living on a fixed income.

The Dedham Food Pantry’s operations run directly from donations received, and volunteers who have dedicated their time and resources to make a difference in the community.  

The Dedham Food Pantry is located on the North side of the Dedham Plaza.  Our shopping hours are Saturdays from 8:30 to 10:30. We also have shopping for seniors on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 1:30 to 3:00.

For more information see our website, DedhamFoodPantry.org, leave a message at 781-269-1541, or email the Pantry at Manager@DedhamFoodPantry.org..

Health & Wellness:

Abuse:

• Dedham Police: If in immediate danger, please dial 911. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic or dating violence, please contact the Dedham Police’s non-emergency number, (781) 326-1212. 
• DOVE (Domestic Violence Ended), a volunteer-run, 24-hour crisis hotline provides comprehensive support services to victims of domestic and dating violence: women and men, adults and teens. DOVE’s Civilian Advocate Sarah Kinane visits Dedham weekly. You can send mail to her at DOVE, P.O. Box 690267, Quincy, MA 02269. Or, call Sarah’s office at (617) 770-4065 ext. 303, or her cell phone (857) 939-3058.
• Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (JDI), connects organizations and people committed to ending sexual assault and domestic violence.
• REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, a non-profit organization, provides safety, shelter, and support to survivors of abuse while engaging communities to promote healthy relationships and prevent domestic violence. 24/7 Hotline: 800-899-4000.
• SafeLink, a statewide, domestic violence hotline, is free and confidential. Call to be connected with a local sexual assault or domestic violence program, 1-877-785-2020

Mental Health:

• Guide to Mental Health Resources for COVID-19 from Massachusetts General Hospital
• William James INTERFACE Referral Service – mental health and wellness referral Helpline available Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free)

Sobriety:

To support the community during this time, the Dedham Organization for Substance Awareness (DOSA) has compiled a list of resources that can be accessed remotely. Please share these resources with friends and neighbors.

Mental Health Resources:

• Riverside 24/7 Crisis Line: (781) 769-8674
• Riverside Community Care telehealth services – To get started, contact the Riverside Outpatient Center at (781) 329-0909
• William James INTERFACE (888) 244-6843 (toll free) – INTERFACE is a mental health and wellness referral helpline available Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Telephone Resources:

• Pause A While Daily Conference Call AA Meetings @ 2 PM. (425) 436-6360, Access Code 422932#

Online Resources:

• AA Grapevine – has made its newsletter publicly accessible via the Internet
• Online Intergroup by Alcoholics Anonymous – online support
• Alcoholics Anonymous Boston – information about local meetings
• In the Rooms – free online addiction support
• Learn 2 Cope – to support families impacted by a loved one’s substance use disorders. Zoom meetings every Wednesday from 7-8:30
• Recovery Dharma – Using Buddhist practices to address addiction
• Smart Recovery – SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training and is a global community of mutual-support groups.
• Connect2Care at Riverside Community Care – recovery coaches for MassHealth members
• Lion Rock Recovery – a telehealth recovery company is offering free COVID anxiety support group meetings.

Need help navigating these resources? Two Dedham residents have offered their numbers to provide any help for those navigating sobriety resources. Both individuals are Dedham residents and not clinicians. If you need urgent mental health support, please call the Riverside crisis line.

You can contact Fred at (781) 801-4372

You can contact Joyce at (617) 538-7663

Guidance:

• Business Resources & News – SBA Boston office links, updates, and events
• Coronavirus Relief Options – an overview of SBA programs
• Small Business Resources - a list of financial relief programs and general resources available to small businesses, compiled by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation
• Small Business Resource Center – a comprehensive listing of resources to address the COVID-19 Crisis.
• Legal Guidance – The COVID Relief Coalition, a collection of law firms, nonprofits, and governmental agencies in Massachusetts provides help (some pro bono) to small businesses and nonprofits in the greater Boston area to access emergency loans and other sources of relief.

Employee Retention:

• WorkShare – a Massachusetts program that offers an alternative to layoffs. Employees work reduced hours while collecting unemployment benefits to supplement their lower wages.

Health Insurance:

• Massachusetts Health Connector – enables small businesses to obtain affordable health and dental insurance for employees.

Loan Programs:

• Economic Injury Disaster Loan – program (SBA), up to $2 million to help businesses and nonprofits without other available means of credit meet financial obligations and operating expenses.
• SBA Debt Relief program – A six-month reprieve on principal and interest payments for small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by the health crisis.

Mentoring & Technical Assistance:

• Center for Women & Enterprise – offers business education, training, and technical assistance to entrepreneurs.
• Service Corps of Retired Executives – (SCORE) offers free, personalized assistance to help you operate your business during the coronavirus crisis. Remote mentoring services are available via phone, email, video and chat. SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). See SCORE’s Coronavirus SBA Loans and Business Assistance resources.
• Veterans Business Outreach Center – (VBOC) Program provides entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business.

Employee Rights:

• Guidance from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
• Disability Law Center – has resources for individuals with disabilities who need information about their rights during the pandemic.

Eviction Protection:

• Eviction Information for Tenants
• Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) provided free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance to low income individuals and families.
• Resources for tenants during COVID-19 pandemic
• Recursos para Inquilinos de Massachusetts durante la pandemia de COVID-19
• Recursos da MHP para inquilinos de Massachusetts durante a pandemia COVID-19

Health Insurance:

Massachusetts Health Connector – Find important information, updates and resources about coronavirus (COVID-19) for Health Connector members and applicants.

Internet Access:

• Comcast Internet Essentials
• RCN’s Internet First Program – provides affordable access for families and students in low-income households.

Parenting:

One Tough Job connects parents with parenting information, ideas, and on-the-ground resources. Also provides connections to other moms and dads who have asked the same questions and faced similar challenges.

Undocumented Workers:

The estimated 400,000 undocumented immigrants who live and work in Massachusetts do not qualify for federal assistance or state unemployment benefits. MassUndocuFund was formed to support those victims of the COVID-19 crisis.

Unemployment:

• Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Returning to Work, guidance and FAQs from the State Department of Unemployment Assistance.
• • Guide for Employers
  • Guide for Workers

Utilities:

• Eversource is continuing to provide reliable service and are available to help customers who are facing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic through payment assistance options, flexible payment plans, and more.
• Self Help, Inc. a nonprofit Community Action Agency (CAA) created to help low-income families and individuals stabilize and secure their lives through a range of services including fuel and energy programs.