Education
Foundation Center – Foundation Grants to Individuals Online (GTIO) – A database of foundations that fund students and other individual grantseekers. See a librarian for assistance. In-library use at Central Library only.
Home Work Research & Test Prep Resources
ModernStates.org – A non-profit dedicated to making a high quality college education free of cost and accessible. Modern States’ Freshman Year for Free™ program is intended to let students earn up to one year of college credit without tuition or textbook expense.
Square One, Learn & Earn Progam – A FREE education and career building program for young parents ages 16-24, who are seeking to earn their high school equivalency diploma and begin building their careers while raising their children. Youth attend classes as well as work throughout the week.
Tech Foundry – Springfield area 14-week IT training program that focuses on skills in four technological areas: networking, data analysis, programming, and computer troubleshooting.
U.S. Department of Education – Federal Student Aid – Read about the types of financial aid available from the government and other sources: grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study.
Job Opportunities
Job Corps – Westover Jobs Corps Center – Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. | Ages 16 – 24 | (800) 733-5627.
YWCA of Western Massachusetts – Workforce Development – YWCA YouthBuild Springfield provides HiSET preparation and job skills training program for young adults. | Ages 16-24 | (413) 732-3121, ext. 137 – Workforce Development for Young Adults – Job skills training program for young adults. | Ages 17-24 | (413) 732-3121, ext. 108
YouthWorks –A program designed to help young people learn the skills to find employment YouthWorks is part of FutureWorks Career Center. | 16-21 years of age, in or out of school.
Recreation and Community
Boys & Girls Club – After school youth programs, evening teen programs, and summer sessions – from academic programs to the arts and athletics.
OutNow – Located in Springfield, Out Now provides a safe space for queer youth and allies to learn about themselves, develop leadership skills, explore the history of the LGBTQ movement, and much, much more.
YALSA Bookfinder – Find Great books search 4,000+ books, audiobooks, and films by author, genre or the latest award winners.
Safety and Health
Massachusetts Al-Anon – Alateen – A fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. (508) 366-0556 or (888) 425-2666
Narcotics Anonymous –New England Region – helpline | (866) 624-3578 and leave a message.
National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens – Get the latest facts on how drugs affect the brain, body, and lives of teens.
Behavioral Health Network – Local Mobile Crisis Intervention (MCI) serves children and youth under the age of 21 who are going through a mental health or substance abuse crisis. | Call (413) 733-6661
Crisis Text Line – Text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Free 24/7 crisis support | Text HOME to 741741
Teen Line -Personal teen-to-teen education and support before problems become a crisis. | Call (800) TLC – Teen
CHD – Safety Zone Help for Homeless and Runaway Youth – Short-term shelter and assistance. (Ages 14-18), Street Outreach (Under 21). Contact 24 / 7 | (413) 781-6556 Toll Free: (844) 781-6556 – Ask for the Safety Zone, leave your name and number and a social worker will return your call within minutes.
Gandara – SHINE Program – Provides transitional housing and outreach services for unaccompanied young adults ages 18-24, who meet the HUD definition of homelessness. (413) 543-2460 x 189
Mass 2-1-1 – Child Requiring Assistance Line – Simply dial 2-1-1 . For children and youth who runaway or are having serious problems at home and in school.
National Runaway Hotline: (800) 621-4000
Go Ask Alice! – A health question and answer Internet resource produced by Alice! Health Promotion at Columbia University — a division of Columbia Health.
National Eating Disorders Association – Contact the Helpline for support, resources and treatment options for yourself or a loved one. | (800) 931-2237
Planned Parenthood of Western Massachusetts – Providers of affordable health care and sex education. | (800) 258 – 4448 – Sexual Health Counseling and Referral Hotline. | (877) 686-5772
Springfield Adolescent Health Center – (413) 794-3710
Tapestry Health – Sexual and Reproductive Health. | (413) 733 – 6639
The TLC Foundation -Provides treatment information, education, and support for anyone affected by body-focused repetitive behaviors.
LGBT National Help Center – National Youth TalkLine, peer counseling, information, and local resources. | (800) 246-7743
The Trevor Project – A National 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth. | (866) 488-7386
Trans Lifeline – National Crisis Hotline by and for the transgender community. 11 AM – 5 PM | (877) 565-8860
National Alliance on Mental Illness -Learn more and find support about mental health conditions common among teens and young adults.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline – Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. | (800) 273-8255
OK2Talk.org – A community where teens and young adults struggling with mental health conditions can find a safe place to talk about what they’re experiencing. | (800) 273-TALK
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) – Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline. Free. Confidential. | 24/7 | (800) 656-4673
StopBullying.gov – What Teens Can Do – Bullying stops us from being who we want to be, and prevents us from expressing ourselves freely, and might even make us feel unsafe. If you are bullied, say something!
YWCA of Western Massachusetts – R.S.V.P. (Responsive Support for youth experiencing Violence Program) – Counseling and advocacy program for youth residing in Springfield who have experienced dating violence, SA, DV, or stalking. | Ages 13-24 | (413) 732-3121 ext. 173
YWCA of Western Massachusetts – Provides shelter, support services, and tools for self-sufficiency for women and girls in our community.