YWCA Greater Harrisburg
Crisis and counseling services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties, plus free civil legal representation for survivors who cannot afford an attorney and emergency housing for trafficking survivors.
Turning Point of Lehigh Valley
Domestic and intimate partner abuse program for Lehigh and Northampton counties with a 24-hour helpline, emergency safe house, empowerment counseling and groups, legal advocacy, medical advocacy and youth services.
New Day to Stop Trafficking
Philadelphia anti-trafficking program with a 24/7 local hotline, a trauma-informed drop-in center in Kensington, long-term transitional housing for women, mobile case management, and a police-assisted diversion program for adults exploited in the commercial sex industry.
Bureau of Community Corrections
Runs the state's community corrections centers and contracted facilities where people nearing release from state prison live while they transition home. Residents receive reentry services, workshops, peer support, counseling and referrals, with specialized tracks for veterans and people in recovery. Placement is arranged through the DOC before release, not by walk-in.
HOPE Reentry & Prevention
Case management, material assistance, housing and employment referrals and weekly support groups for people returning to Allegheny County after incarceration. The organization also runs chaplaincy and pre-release programming inside the Allegheny County Jail.
Unity Recovery Philadelphia
Free recovery community organization offering one-on-one peer support, mutual aid meetings, re-entry and forensic peer support for people leaving the justice system, pregnant and postpartum recovery support, employment help and naloxone at a seven-day-a-week drop-in center. No enrollment required for meetings and activities.
Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance (PRO-A)
Statewide voice for Pennsylvania's recovery community. Certifies peer recovery specialists, runs a training institute, and keeps a resource library on employment, criminal history, family support and health insurance for people in recovery; it points people needing treatment to the state's county drug and alcohol offices.
PA Get Help Now Helpline
State-run line staffed by trained professionals who help Pennsylvanians find and get into drug and alcohol treatment, compare facilities by insurance accepted, and reach their county drug and alcohol office for assessment and funding.
Chafee Independent Living and Education and Training Grant
Pennsylvania's program for youth who were in foster care at 14 or older: county independent living services cover diploma completion, job training and placement, budgeting and daily living skills, with aftercare for those who exited care between 14 and 23. The Chafee Education and Training Grant pays up to $5,000 per academic year toward college, and state schools must waive tuition for eligible former foster youth.
Achieving Independence Center
Drop-in center for current and former Philadelphia foster youth ages 14 to 23. Members are matched with a coach and get help with jobs and career planning, housing referrals, GED or high school completion, college and vocational enrollment, and computer skills.
Pennsylvania Refugee Resettlement Program
State office that funds employment, education, case management, health and cash and medical assistance for newly arrived refugees, delivered through contracted local agencies. Resettlement contractors listed by the state include Nationalities Service Center in Philadelphia (215-893-8400), Hello Neighbor in Pittsburgh (412-567-3946) and Bethany Christian Services in Allentown (484-408-6830).
Outreach Coordination Center 24-Hour Homeless Outreach Hotline
Philadelphia's round-the-clock street outreach line, run by Project HOME with the City. Call if you are living outside or see someone who needs help; outreach teams respond and connect people to shelter, housing and recovery services.
Office of Homeless Services Prevention, Diversion and Intake
Entry point for Philadelphia's emergency shelter system and homelessness prevention help. Households call the InfoLine or visit a City-funded intake center; callbacks can take more than 72 hours during high volume.
Allegheny Link
Single call-in point for housing help in Allegheny County. Staff connect callers to emergency shelter and rental assistance, screen them for longer-term homeless housing programs using the Allegheny Housing Assessment, and refer households facing eviction to prevention programs.
Voeghtly Street Shelter
Fifty-bed emergency shelter on Pittsburgh's North Side for men, women and children, with breakfast and dinner, showers, clothing and chapel. Guests can move on to Light of Life's long-term recovery programs; the outreach center houses a food pantry, free store and furniture bank.
Bethesda Mission Men's Mission
Harrisburg shelter for men needing emergency shelter or long-term recovery housing; the mission also runs a women's recovery residence, medical and dental clinics, a food bank and a mobile outreach unit. Call before arriving.
Allentown Rescue Mission Emergency Shelter
Overnight emergency shelter for men 18 and older in downtown Allentown, with meals, chapel and on-site medical care through the DeSales Clinic. Men may apply to the eight-week Transformation Program and then join the Clean Team workforce.
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Free civil legal help for low-income Philadelphians with public benefits, housing, employment, debt, utilities, family matters and criminal record clearing including Clean Slate expungements. Two offices, Center City and North Philadelphia.
MidPenn Legal Services
Free civil legal aid for low-income residents and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across 18 central Pennsylvania counties including Dauphin, Cumberland, York, Lancaster and Berks. Apply by phone through the intake unit.
Division of Vital Records
Issues certified Pennsylvania birth certificates by mail, online through VitalChek, or in person at public offices. Certificates cost $20 each; online orders add a $10 service fee. Valid identification is required.
Get a Photo ID
State photo identification card for Pennsylvanians who do not drive. Submit form DL-54A by mail or at a Driver License Center with proof of identity, your Social Security card and, if 18 or older, two proofs of address; your photo is taken at the Photo Center and the card issued.
Apply for Benefits through COMPASS
Pennsylvania's application portal for SNAP, Medical Assistance, cash assistance and related programs. Apply online at COMPASS, through the myCOMPASS PA mobile app, by phone through the Statewide Customer Service Center, or in person at a County Assistance Office.
PA 211
Free, confidential information and referral line for all of Pennsylvania. Call or text to be connected to local help with housing, utilities, food, employment and other needs; a searchable directory is at search.pa211.org.
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Statewide coalition of Pennsylvania's local domestic violence programs. Its find-help page routes survivors to the 24-hour hotline and to a directory of county programs offering shelter, counseling, legal and economic help; PA Safe Law connects survivors with free attorneys for civil matters.
Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline
Philadelphia's citywide domestic violence line, answered around the clock by advocates who provide crisis support, safety planning and referrals to emergency housing, legal services and behavioral health care. Calls are free and confidential.
Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
Emergency shelter, legal advocacy, individual therapy, children's counseling, substance use recovery counseling and support groups for adults and children leaving domestic violence in the Pittsburgh area. Reach a trained advocate first by phone, text or web chat.
National lines that work in Pennsylvania
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.