Community Assistance
& Support
Find support for today. Build toward tomorrow.
Moving forward can be difficult when food, housing or essential bills are uncertain. Whether you are navigating reentry, facing a job loss, supporting your family or managing another life transition, knowing where to turn can make a difference.
BetterLife Foundation Co shares these resources to help individuals and families connect with assistance in their communities. Start with 211 to explore organizations and services that may address your needs.
You Do Not Have to Find
Every Resource Alone.
Explain what you need. A 211 specialist can help you identify services and organizations to contact.
Connect With Help in Your Community
211 is a national resource network that connects people with information and referrals for needs such as housing, food, utility bills, healthcare and caregiver support.
Visit 211.org to explore resources, or use its local service finder to search by location.
What Do You Need Help With?
Choose a starting point below. Available programs and eligibility requirements vary by community.
Housing & Shelter
Ask about local housing resources, shelter referrals and programs that may help with housing expenses.
Explore housing resourcesFood & Groceries
Find information about food programs and benefits. Ask your local 211 about nearby food pantries and meal resources.
Explore food resourcesUtilities & Essential Bills
Explore resources for utility expenses and ask about local assistance if you are behind on essential bills.
Explore utility resourcesHealth & Support Services
Ask for referrals related to healthcare expenses, mental health services or substance use support.
Explore health resources through 211Family & Caregiver Needs
If you care for a child, an older adult or someone with a disability, ask about resources that fit your household’s needs.
Ask your local 211Reentry & Life Transitions
Explain the barriers you are facing and ask which local organizations may help with your transition back into the community.
Find local referral assistanceExplore National Resources.
Find organizations and tools for banking, credit, employment, starting a business, education, housing, healthcare, legal needs and more. These resources complement 211 and can help you take the next step.
Banking, Savings & Financial Accounts
For people seeking a checking account, direct deposit, savings, and money-management tools.
Chime
Online checking and savings through partner banks. No monthly account fees or minimum-balance requirements; approval and other fees or limits may apply.
Visit ChimeCapital One 360
Checking and savings accounts with no monthly account fees or minimum balances; standard identity verification applies.
Visit Capital One 360Credit Karma Money
Checking and savings products offered through banking partners; eligibility and account terms apply.
Visit Credit Karma MoneyFDIC Money Smart
Free banking, budgeting, saving, and borrowing education. Helpful for people opening their first account.
Visit FDIC Money SmartBank On
Find accounts designed to meet national standards for low-cost, safe banking; availability varies by institution.
Visit Bank OnCredit Building, Credit Reports & Debt
For people seeking to understand their credit, correct errors, manage debt, or build positive payment history.
AnnualCreditReport.com
Official site to obtain free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Visit AnnualCreditReport.comCredit Karma Credit Builder
Eligible users can make contributions through a credit-building product that combines savings with reported loan payments. Confirm current minimums and conditions before enrolling.
Visit Credit Karma Credit BuilderConsumer Financial Protection Bureau
Free guidance on credit reports, disputing errors, debt collection, and consumer protections.
Visit Consumer Financial Protection BureauNational Foundation for Credit Counseling
Find nonprofit financial counselors for budgeting, debt, and credit-related guidance. Ask about any service fees.
Visit National Foundation for Credit CounselingCFPB — Focus on Reentry
Financial education materials addressing money decisions and challenges before and after release.
Visit CFPB — Focus on ReentryEntrepreneurship & Self-Employment
For people interested in starting a business, self-employment, business loans, or turning skills into income.
SCORE
Free mentoring from volunteer business professionals, plus startup planning and workshops; some events may have fees.
Visit SCOREU.S. Small Business Administration
Business startup guidance, registration, business plans, funding options, and local assistance.
Visit U.S. Small Business AdministrationSmall Business Development Centers
Find local or virtual business advisers for startup planning, finances, marketing, and business operations.
Visit Small Business Development CentersSBA Microloan Program
Learn about business microloans from participating intermediary lenders; credit and eligibility requirements apply.
Visit SBA Microloan ProgramKiva U.S.
Explore crowdfunded small-business lending for eligible borrowers; funding is not guaranteed.
Visit Kiva U.S.Jobs, Career Matching & Trade Skills
For people seeking second-chance employment, resume help, apprenticeships, training, and career exploration.
CareerOneStop — Justice-Impacted
Career exploration, job-search strategies, training information, and resources for justice-impacted job seekers.
Visit CareerOneStop — Justice-ImpactedAmerican Job Centers
Find public workforce centers that may offer job-search assistance, training referrals, and employment services.
Visit American Job CentersApprenticeship.gov
Search registered apprenticeship opportunities combining paid work and training.
Visit Apprenticeship.govCenter for Employment Opportunities
Employment services for justice-impacted individuals in select locations. Check service areas and referral requirements.
Visit Center for Employment OpportunitiesFreeWorld
Career pathways and support focused on trucking/CDL careers for justice-impacted people; program availability varies.
Visit FreeWorldHousing, Food, Clothing & Transportation
For immediate living needs, including shelter, groceries, clothing, local transit, and other essential support.
Findhelp
Search local programs by ZIP code for housing, food, transportation, employment, and financial support.
Visit Findhelp211
Connect with local information and referrals for housing, food, utilities, and other immediate needs.
Visit 211HUD Find Shelter
Locate local shelter and housing-related resources.
Visit HUD Find ShelterFeeding America
Locate regional food banks and partner food programs.
Visit Feeding AmericaUSA.gov Benefit Finder
Explore government benefit programs that may assist with food, healthcare, housing, or family needs.
Visit USA.gov Benefit FinderLifeline
Check eligibility for discounted phone or internet service through participating providers.
Visit LifelineIdentification, Legal Help & Record Clearance
For birth certificates, Social Security cards, IDs, legal questions, expungement, and licensing restrictions.
USA.gov — Replace Vital Documents
Find state and federal instructions for replacing birth certificates and other important documents.
Visit USA.gov — Replace Vital DocumentsSocial Security Administration
Request a Social Security number card or replacement card; SSA does not charge for cards.
Visit Social Security AdministrationLawHelp.org
Find state-specific civil legal information and legal aid resources.
Visit LawHelp.orgLegal Services Corporation
Locate nonprofit civil legal aid organizations serving eligible people.
Visit Legal Services CorporationClean Slate Clearinghouse
Explore record-clearance policies, expungement information, and state-specific resources.
Visit Clean Slate ClearinghouseCareerOneStop License Finder
Check licensing requirements for jobs and trades in each state.
Visit CareerOneStop License FinderHealthcare, Mental Health & Recovery
For insurance, healthcare access, emotional distress, substance-use treatment, and recovery support.
HRSA Find a Health Center
Find community health centers that provide primary care; fees may vary with income.
Visit HRSA Find a Health CenterFindTreatment.gov
Find mental health and substance-use treatment providers by location.
Visit FindTreatment.gov988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for immediate emotional distress or suicide crisis support in the United States.
Visit 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineHealthCare.gov
Explore health insurance Marketplace coverage and enrollment options.
Visit HealthCare.govNAMI
Mental health education, support resources, and family information.
Visit NAMISMART Recovery
Mutual-support meetings and practical tools for addictive behaviors; meeting availability varies.
Visit SMART RecoveryEducation, GED & Certifications
For adult literacy, GED or high-school equivalency, college, workforce credentials, and training.
National Literacy Directory
Find adult education, literacy, and high-school equivalency programs by location.
Visit National Literacy DirectoryCareerOneStop Training Finder
Explore training programs and career credentials.
Visit CareerOneStop Training FinderFederal Student Aid
Learn about FAFSA, federal student aid, and education funding eligibility.
Visit Federal Student AidJob Corps
Education and career training for eligible young adults; admission requirements apply.
Visit Job CorpsRelationships, Parenting & Peer Support
For family reconnection, parenting education, mentorship, and community-based support.
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
Resources and educational materials on fatherhood, parenting, and healthy family relationships.
Visit National Responsible Fatherhood ClearinghousePrison Fellowship Angel Tree
Family connection programs for children with an incarcerated parent; participation and local availability vary.
Visit Prison Fellowship Angel Tree211 — Local Family Services
Ask about parenting classes, family counseling referrals, caregiving resources, and community support.
Visit 211 — Local Family ServicesBetterLife Foundation Co — Peer Support
Learn about BetterLife’s non-clinical community practitioner and peer-support programming.
Visit BetterLife Foundation Co — Peer SupportReentry Planning & Life Transitions
For people preparing to return to the community and needing help identifying next steps.
CareerOneStop — Justice-Impacted
Resources for work readiness, career planning, and employment after justice-system involvement.
Visit CareerOneStop — Justice-ImpactedClean Slate Clearinghouse
Understand record-clearance options and where to seek state-specific help.
Visit Clean Slate ClearinghouseFindhelp
Search for local programs and organizations based on ZIP code and need.
Visit FindhelpBetterLife — Reintegration & Second Chances
Learn about BetterLife’s behavioral education, mentoring, and career-readiness approach.
Visit BetterLife — Reintegration & Second ChancesListings are informational and are not endorsements or guarantees of approval, eligibility, employment, funding, housing or treatment. Financial products may involve identity verification and additional terms. BetterLife is not affiliated with the listed organizations unless expressly stated.
Make the First Contact Count.
You do not need every answer before reaching out. Start with what you know and ask what to do next.
What should I tell 211?
Share your location and explain your most urgent need first. Mention any deadline, such as a utility shutoff notice or an immediate need for somewhere to stay.
You can say: “I live in this ZIP code, and I need help finding resources for housing, food or bills. Where should I start?”
What should I ask a referred organization?
- Are you accepting applications right now?
- Do you serve my ZIP code or county?
- What are the eligibility requirements?
- What documents will I need?
- Is there a cost, waiting list or deadline?
- How do I apply and follow up?
Write down the organization’s name, contact information and the next action you need to take.
What if I am returning from incarceration?
Let the specialist know you are looking for reentry resources. Explain your immediate needs and ask whether the suggested organizations work with people returning from incarceration.
If you are having difficulty obtaining documents or meeting an application requirement, mention that and ask what alternatives or additional referrals may be available.
What if a program cannot help me?
Ask why you do not qualify or whether funding is temporarily unavailable. Request another referral and ask whether you should check back later.
You can also contact 211 again, explain which organizations you already tried and ask about other options.
Build a Plan for What Comes Next.
Finding an organization is one step. Knowing which resources to use first—and how they fit your personal goals—is another. BetterLife Foundation Co provides non-clinical behavioral education, career-readiness support and mentoring to help participants make informed decisions.
Example: Interested in Starting a Business?
- Secure identification and a reliable way to receive payments.
- Review your credit and address errors or financial barriers.
- Connect with a business mentor through SCORE or a Small Business Development Center.
- Develop a business plan, budget and realistic startup steps.
- Explore funding only after reviewing eligibility, repayment terms and financial risk.
Start With One Call
or One Search.
You do not have to solve everything at once. Identify your most immediate need and connect with someone who can help you explore your options.
Resource links open in a new tab so you can keep this page open.
BetterLife Foundation Co shares these links as community resources. Assistance is provided by independent organizations. Links do not imply partnership, endorsement or affiliation. Eligibility, fees, funding and availability vary by provider; referrals do not guarantee assistance.