📞 Don't know where to start? Call 2-1-1.
Free, confidential, and available 24/7 in both Connecticut and New Jersey. They'll connect you to housing, food, mental health, and more — in your language, for your situation. Real humans answer.
State:
Filter by what you need
🏠 Housing
📍 New Haven
Youth Continuum
Housing, shelter, and support services for young people 16–24. They do street outreach and connect you to emergency shelter and transitional housing — including if you're a parenting youth.
24 River Street, New Haven, CT 06513
Main: (203) 562-3396 | Street Outreach: (203) 777-8445 | Shelter Hotline: (203) 865-3418
Ages 16–24, including parenting youth
🏠 Housing
📍 Hartford
The Connection — Rapid Rehousing for Emerging Adults
If you're homeless and 18–24 in the Greater Hartford area, this program can get you into stable housing FAST with rental assistance plus a real case manager in your corner the whole time.
Greater Hartford region
(860) 343-5500
Ages 18–24, must be in Greater Hartford coordinated access region
🏠 Housing
📍 Bridgeport
CCCYMCA — Hernan's Haven for Youth
Permanent supportive housing built specifically for young adults 18–24. Actual apartments — not just a bed — plus wrap-around services to help you stay stable and keep growing.
Bridgeport YMCA, Bridgeport, CT
(203) 334-5551
Ages 18–24
🏠 Housing
🌐 Statewide
CT Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
Subsidized housing vouchers for low-income individuals and families across Connecticut. The waitlist opens periodically — sign up for email alerts so you don't miss it.
CT HUD Office: 1-860-240-4800
Check 211ct.org to connect with a regional housing navigator
🛡️ Emergency Shelter
📍 Hartford
Bridge Family Center — Youth in Transition
Emergency shelter and transitional living for youth 16–22. They help with the immediate crisis but also have staff working with you on long-term plans — not just a roof, but a path forward.
1022 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107
(860) 521-8035
Male & Female, ages 16–22
🛡️ Emergency Shelter
📍 Bridgeport
GBAPP — Greater Bridgeport Area Prevention Program
Emergency shelter for youth plus a full range of services including education, job training, and behavioral health. They're about the whole person, not just the immediate crisis.
25 Ford Place, Bridgeport, CT 06610
Shelter Hotline: (475) 400-0868
Male, ages 13–17 (shelter) | all ages for other services
💼 Jobs & Training
📍 Hartford
STRIVE Hartford — Youth Job Readiness
Real job prep for young people 18–24 who've had contact with the justice system. They use a positive youth development approach — not shame, but real skills, real confidence, real jobs.
Hartford, CT
Ages 18–24, justice-system involved
Alternative to incarceration placement available
💼 Jobs & Training
📍 Hartford
CT WIOA Youth Employment Program
Federally funded job training and employment services for 18–24 year olds in Hartford County. If you've ever dealt with mental health challenges — anxiety, depression, anything — you likely qualify.
255 Homestead Avenue, Hartford, CT 06132
(860) 263-4400
Ages 18–24, Hartford County residents
💼 Jobs & Training
🌐 Statewide
CT American Job Centers (Workforce1)
Free career services — job search help, résumé building, interview prep, training programs. Walk-in or virtual. Multiple locations across CT including New Haven, Hartford, and Bridgeport.
Free services for all CT residents
ctdol.state.ct.us/american-job-centers
💼 Jobs & Training
📍 Hartford
CT STAY STRONG — InterCommunity
A wraparound program for young adults 16–25 that mixes employment support with community building and mental health services. If you're dealing with behavioral health stuff and need job help, this is built for you.
Greater Hartford area
(860) 569-5900
Ages 16–25, at-risk for behavioral health challenges
🥗 Food
📍 Hartford
Saint Francis Joan C. Dauber Food Bank
Walk-in food pantry in Hartford. No income proof needed, just self-declare that you need food assistance. Open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday during the day.
675 Tower Avenue, Hartford, CT 06112
Mon 9am–2pm · Wed 3–5pm · Thu 9am–12pm
Appointments preferred but walk-ins accepted
🥗 Food
🌐 Statewide
Connecticut Foodshare
CT's largest food bank network — they supply hundreds of pantries across the state. Use their locator to find the nearest food pantry to you. No CT residency required, just show up.
(860) 856-4301
ctfoodshare.org — find a pantry near you
Serves New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport, Fairfield, and more
🥗 Food
📍 New Haven
New Haven Food Pantry Network (via 211CT)
Multiple food pantries across New Haven — call 211 or visit 211ct.org to find the one nearest you that's open when you need it. Free, no questions asked.
Dial 2-1-1 (free, 24/7)
211ct.org — search by zip code
💙 Mental Health
📍 New Haven
CT Mental Health Center (CMHC)
Yale-affiliated mental health center in New Haven offering real, accessible community mental health services. Sliding scale fees, bilingual services, and programs for young adults. One of the best public mental health resources in the state.
34 Park Street, New Haven, CT 06519
(203) 974-7300
Sliding scale — they work with what you can pay
💙 Mental Health
🌐 Statewide
NAMI Connecticut
Free mental health support, education, and peer connection across Connecticut. No-cost programs including support groups, a helpline, and free classes for people dealing with mental health challenges and their families.
Helpline: (860) 882-0236 | Crisis: 988
namict.org
Free peer-led support groups across CT
💙 Mental Health
📍 Hartford
Mental Health Connecticut
Community-based mental health services with a real human approach. They offer peer support, counseling, and wellness programs. Read the testimonials — these are people who actually felt heard.
Multiple locations across CT
(860) 953-2000
Peer support and Art of Wellbeing programs
💙 Mental Health
🌐 Statewide
Crisis Text Line + 988 Lifeline
When it's urgent — text or call. No judgment, real humans, free. If you're in crisis or just feel like you can't take it anymore, reach out. You don't have to be "sick enough" to deserve support.
Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line, 24/7)
Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7)
📚 Education & GED
📍 Hartford
Hartford Adult Education — GED & HiSET
Free GED and high school equivalency programs in Hartford. Night classes available if you're working during the day. They meet you where you are — whether you've been out of school for months or years.
Hartford, CT (multiple sites)
(860) 695-8530
Free for CT residents
📚 Education & GED
📍 New Haven
New Haven Adult & Continuing Education
Free adult education including GED prep, English classes, and job skills. Multiple locations, flexible scheduling. No age cap — whether you're 18 or 40, they'll work with you.
54 Meadow Street, New Haven, CT 06519
(203) 946-7770
Free for New Haven residents
📚 Education & GED
🌐 Statewide
CT Adult Education (Free Statewide)
Every CT town has free adult education. GED, HiSET, English as a Second Language, and job skills. Find the program nearest you — your taxes already paid for it.
portal.ct.gov/SDE/Adult-Education
Free for all CT residents, all ages 17+
⚖️ Legal Aid
📍 Hartford
Greater Hartford Legal Aid
Free civil legal help for low-income people in Hartford — housing, domestic violence, benefits, immigration, and more. You should never have to navigate the legal system alone just because you can't afford a lawyer.
(860) 570-5327
Free for low-income individuals and families
ghla.org
⚖️ Legal Aid
📍 Bridgeport
Connecticut Legal Services — Bridgeport
Free civil legal services for low-income folks in Bridgeport and Fairfield County. Eviction, benefits, family law, and more. They serve 122 CT communities — if you're low-income, you likely qualify.
(203) 335-0719
Free for income-eligible individuals
connlegalservices.org
⚖️ Legal Aid
📍 New Haven
New Haven Legal Assistance Association
Free legal help for low-income people in Greater New Haven. They handle housing, domestic violence, public benefits, immigration, and youth cases. Know your rights — don't face the system alone.
426 State Street, New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 946-4811
Free for low-income New Haven County residents
🚌 Transportation
🌐 Statewide
CT Transit — Bus & Rail
Discounted transit passes for low-income residents through CTrides and local transit programs. If you're getting help from DCF or DHS, ask your case manager about free bus passes — many programs offer them.
CTrides: 1-877-287-4337
cttransit.com
CTrides offers free passes and commuter matching programs
🚌 Transportation
📍 New Haven
CT Transit New Haven + Yale Shuttle
New Haven has solid bus coverage. If you're connected with any social services or educational programs, ask specifically about free passes. The Youth Continuum and other orgs often provide transit support to clients.
CT Transit New Haven: (203) 624-0151
Ask your housing or job program about transit assistance
🏠 Housing
📍 Newark, NJ
Covenant House New Jersey
Emergency shelter and transitional housing for young people 18–21 in Newark. They have real apartments, not just beds, and a whole team helping you get stable — job, ID, housing, mental health. No judgment, no intake forms you have to fake.
24 Moorgate Ave, Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 621-8705
Ages 18–21, all genders
🏠 Housing
📍 Trenton, NJ
HomeFront NJ — Family Housing & Homelessness Prevention
One of central NJ's best organizations for people facing housing instability. They offer emergency shelter, rental assistance, transitional housing, and long-term case management. If you're in the Trenton/Mercer County area and on the edge of losing housing, call them today.
1880 Princeton Ave, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(609) 989-9417
Serves Mercer County and greater Trenton area
🏠 Housing
📍 Camden, NJ
Cathedral Kitchen — Housing Navigation (Camden)
Beyond food (they feed hundreds a day), Cathedral Kitchen connects people in Camden to housing, case management, and job training. If you're in the Camden area and need to get stabilized, they're a real anchor.
1514 Federal St, Camden, NJ 08102
(856) 541-1000
Mon–Fri 8am–3pm
🏠 Housing
🌐 Statewide NJ
NJ Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
Federally subsidized rental assistance for low-income New Jersey residents. Administered through NJ DCA and local housing authorities — call 211 NJ to connect with your county's program and get on the list. Waitlists open occasionally; sign up for alerts.
NJ DCA Housing: (609) 490-4550 | Dial 2-1-1
Check njdca.gov and your local housing authority
🛡️ Emergency Shelter
📍 Newark, NJ
Covenant House NJ — Crisis Shelter
If you need somewhere to stay tonight in Newark, Covenant House has immediate beds for young people 18–21. Walk in or call. No appointment, no paperwork maze — just show up.
24 Moorgate Ave, Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 621-8705
24/7 crisis intake available
🛡️ Emergency Shelter
📍 Paterson, NJ
Eva's Village — Emergency Shelter & Services
Eva's Village in Paterson has been a lifeline for decades. Emergency shelter, soup kitchen, substance use treatment, mental health services, and housing. They wrap real services around you — not just a bed.
393 Main St, Paterson, NJ 07505
(973) 523-6220
Shelter, food, mental health & addiction treatment all in one place
🛡️ Emergency Shelter
📍 Trenton, NJ
Rescue Mission of Trenton
Emergency shelter and meals in Trenton for people who have nowhere to go. They serve hundreds of people daily and have programs for substance recovery, job training, and transitional housing. If you're in Trenton and need a bed tonight, this is the call.
98 Carroll St, Trenton, NJ 08609
(609) 695-1436
Shelter, meals, recovery programs — walk in welcome
💼 Jobs & Training
📍 Newark, NJ
YouthBuild Newark
For young people 16–24 in Newark who want to build skills and earn while they learn. Construction trades training, GED support, and job placement — all at once. They also pay you a stipend while you're in the program.
198-200 Prince St, Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 648-2000
Ages 16–24, stipend provided during training
💼 Jobs & Training
📍 Camden, NJ
Urban Promise Camden — Workforce Development
Urban Promise runs programs for young people in Camden focused on jobs, education, and leadership. Their Vanguard Academy and workforce programs are legit — they don't just hand you a pamphlet, they walk with you.
4 N. 31st St, Camden, NJ 08105
(856) 962-7200
Youth and young adults in Camden
💼 Jobs & Training
🌐 Statewide NJ
NJ One-Stop Career Centers
Free job search help, résumé building, training programs, and career counseling at career centers across New Jersey. Walk in or make an appointment. If you're unemployed or underemployed, this is your first stop.
1-877-NJ-WORKS (1-877-695-6757)
nj.gov/labor/career/jobseeker/one-stop
Multiple locations in every NJ county — free for NJ residents
💼 Jobs & Training
🌐 Statewide NJ
NJ Youth Corps — Work & Education Program
A free program for 16–25 year olds who want to earn their high school diploma while learning job skills and giving back to the community. Sites across NJ — Newark, Paterson, Jersey City, Trenton, and more. Get paid while you learn.
(609) 984-4585
njyouthcorps.org
Ages 16–25 · Sites in Newark, Paterson, Trenton, JC + more
🥗 Food
🌐 Statewide NJ
Community FoodBank of New Jersey
NJ's largest food bank — they supply hundreds of pantries statewide. Use their locator to find the nearest food pantry open when you need it. No residency requirement, no documentation required. Just show up.
31 Evans Terminal, Hillside, NJ 07205
(908) 355-3663
cfbnj.org/find-food — pantry locator
🥗 Food
📍 Newark, NJ
Ironbound Community Corp — Food Pantry
Food pantry serving Newark's Ironbound neighborhood and beyond. Free groceries for families and individuals — no immigration status check, no income proof required. They also have a community garden and freshly cooked meals program.
317 Elm St, Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-1500
All welcome · No documentation required
🥗 Food
📍 Camden, NJ
Cathedral Kitchen — Free Meals (Camden)
Cathedral Kitchen serves hundreds of free meals every weekday in Camden. No questions asked, no ID required. Just a warm meal, every single day. They also connect people to housing, job training, and case management.
1514 Federal St, Camden, NJ 08102
(856) 541-1000
Mon–Fri, lunch served daily · all welcome
🥗 Food
🌐 Statewide NJ
NJ 211 — Find Food Near You
Call 211 or go to nj211.org and search by your zip code to find the food pantry nearest you that's open right now. Free, 24/7, real humans answer. Best way to find food fast in any NJ city.
Dial 2-1-1 (free, 24/7)
nj211.org — search by zip code
💙 Mental Health
🌐 Statewide NJ
NJ Mental Health Cares Helpline
Free mental health referral service for New Jersey residents. They connect you to the right counselors, therapists, and programs in your area — sliding scale and free options available. You don't need insurance. Call and tell them what you're dealing with.
1-866-202-HELP (1-866-202-4357)
Free referrals · all NJ residents · no insurance required
njmentalhealthcares.org
💙 Mental Health
📍 Newark, NJ
Integrity House — Mental Health & Recovery (Newark)
One of NJ's longest-running community mental health and substance use treatment programs. Sliding scale fees, residential options, and outpatient counseling in Newark. If you're dealing with both mental health and substance use — which is common — they get it.
103 Lincoln Park, Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 623-0600
Medicaid accepted · sliding scale available
💙 Mental Health
📍 Atlantic City, NJ
AtlantiCare Behavioral Health
Comprehensive mental health and substance use services in Atlantic County. Inpatient, outpatient, and crisis services. If you're in South Jersey and need mental health support, AtlantiCare is one of the main anchors for the region.
6550 Delilah Rd, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 (main campus)
(609) 344-7254
Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale accepted
💙 Mental Health
🌐 Statewide NJ
Rutgers UBHC 24/7 Crisis Line
NJ's statewide 24/7 mental health crisis and referral line. If you're in crisis right now, call. They'll talk to you and connect you to immediate help — anywhere in New Jersey. Also can refer you to ongoing outpatient services.
(800) 782-2737 — 24/7 statewide
Call or text 988 also works — free, 24/7 nationwide
📚 Education & GED
📍 Newark, NJ
Newark Adult Education — GED & HiSET
Free adult education including GED prep, HiSET, and English classes through Newark Public Schools. Day and evening classes. If you left school and need your diploma, this is free and accessible. No age cap.
(973) 733-7104
Free for NJ residents 17+ · Day + evening classes
newarkpublicschools.org — search "adult education"
📚 Education & GED
📍 Jersey City, NJ
Hudson County Schools of Technology — Adult Ed
Free adult education and GED programs in Hudson County including Jersey City. They also offer trade and vocational training — HVAC, welding, health care, and more. If you want a credential that leads to a real job, this is it.
(201) 360-6000
GED + vocational training · free for Hudson County residents
hcst.edu
📚 Education & GED
🌐 Statewide NJ
NJ Adult Education Program (Free Statewide)
Every NJ county has a free adult education program — GED prep, HiSET, English as a Second Language, and job skills. Find your local program and start. It's free, your taxes paid for it, and there's no age cap.
nj.gov/education/aepp — find your county program
Free for NJ residents 17+ · All counties served
⚖️ Legal Aid
🌐 Statewide NJ
Legal Services of New Jersey
Free civil legal help for low-income New Jerseyans across the entire state. Housing, benefits, family, immigration, consumer debt — if it's legal and you can't afford a lawyer, they're the call. 16 offices across NJ.
1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529)
lsnj.org
Free for income-eligible NJ residents
⚖️ Legal Aid
📍 Newark, NJ
Essex County Legal Aid Association
Free civil legal services for low-income people in Essex County. Eviction defense, domestic violence, benefits, family law. If you're facing an eviction notice or a DV situation in the Newark area, call them before you miss a court date.
(973) 624-4500
Free for income-eligible Essex County residents
⚖️ Legal Aid
📍 Camden, NJ
Legal Services NJ — Camden Office
Free civil legal help for low-income people in South Jersey / Camden area. Housing, benefits, family law, and consumer issues. Don't let a lack of money mean you go to court alone.
(856) 964-2010
Serves Camden and Burlington counties
🚌 Transportation
🌐 Statewide NJ
NJ Transit — Reduced Fare + Social Services Programs
NJ Transit runs buses and trains across the entire state. Many social service programs — homeless services, job programs, reentry — provide free transit passes to clients. Ask your case manager about transit assistance. NJ Transit also has a reduced fare program for people with disabilities and seniors.
NJ Transit: 973-275-5555
Ask any social services provider about free bus pass programs
njtransit.com — route planner and schedules
💼 Youth Programs
📍 Newark, NJ
Newark Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program
Summer jobs for youth 14–21 in Newark — real paid work experience with local employers and nonprofits. Opens for applications in spring. If you're in Newark and want to build your résumé and earn money this summer, register early — spots go fast.
Ages 14–21, Newark residents
newarknjusa.gov — search "summer youth employment"
💙 Youth Support
🌐 Statewide NJ
Boys Town NJ Crisis Hotline
24/7 crisis line specifically for young people and families — free, confidential, no judgment. If you're a young person feeling overwhelmed, unsafe, or like there's no way out, this is a real option to call at any hour.
1-800-448-3000 — 24/7 free and confidential
For youth and families · available nationwide
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