COMMUNITY RESOURCES
In addition to the aid provided by the Westwood Community Chest, financial assistance and other supports are offered by many area associations and businesses. Applicants are encouraged to explore these resources directly.
Food Resources
Westwood Food Pantry: 781.269.2008. Please call and leave a message and your call will be returned. We are now offering contactless order pick-ups and deliveries.
SNAP Benefits (formerly Food Stamps): or Project Bread FoodSource Hotline: 800.645.8333 provides benefit eligibility screenings and general information. Takes applications over the phone and follows up.
Housing Resources
Housing: Housing and Land Use Planner Amanda Wolfe is available to meet individually with residents about housing matters. Call 781-251-2598, email awolfe@townhall.westwood.ma.us, or visit https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/departments/community-economic-development/housing-division.
Westwood Housing Authority: To reach the Westwood Housing Authority/Westwood Affordable Housing Associates, Inc., please reach out to Housing Coordinator, Jane O’Donnell at 781.320.1031 or email: jodonnell@townhall.westwood.ma.us
Utilities Resources
Call your provider directly as many offer discounts if you qualify for TAFDC, EAEDC, SNAP benefits, MassHealth, SSI, Fuel Assistance, or if your child is in the School Lunch Program or Head Start.
Eversource: Eversource has a discount program in addition to payment plans.
Green Energy Consumers Alliance: 800.287.3950 Offers discount heating oil program for any household, regardless of income, who wants to save on heating and electricity costs.
Community Action Program (CAP): Home Energy Assistance programs ensure that all families and individuals have safe access to home heating.
Phone and Internet Service: Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service.
Behavioral Health Resources
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line: Are you or someone you care about struggling with mental health or substance abuse? Help is here, 24/7. Call or text 833-773-2445.
211 Services: Visit their website or dial 211 for a free, confidential 24/7 hotline that connects individuals to essential community, health, and human services. There is also a Call to Talk service for people in crisis: 988
Physical Health Resources
Mass Health: 800.841.2900 members may be able to get doctor visits, prescription drugs, hospital stays, and many other important services.
Legal Resources
Mass Legal Help: Free, practical information about your legal rights in Massachusetts.
Metrowest Legal Services: Offers free civil legal aid to low income, elderly, disabled and victims of crime. Visit their webiste or call 508-620-1830.
Metrowest Mediation: Free services to assist with consumer protection. Visit their website or call 508-872-9495.
Financial Management Resources
Neighbor Works: NeighborWorks offers financial coaching to Westwood residents. Contact Amanda Glennon; 781-422-4200, ext. 377 or visit their website.
Old Colony Elder Services: Offers financial coaching/money management. Contact Lindsay at 508-584-1561 or visit their website.
IRS Tax Debt: Get help with tax debt.
Other Local Resources
Westwood Youth and Family Services: 781.320.1006 for confidential counseling services, parenting groups and resources for children and families.
Cleaning For a Reason: Our mission is to give the gift of free house cleaning to women undergoing treatment for any type of cancer. Call 877.337.3348
MBTA’s The Ride: The Ride has good transportation options for people with disabilities: 617-337-2727
Veterans Services and Assistance: Veterans Services in Westwood contact is Nancy Blanchard, 781 320-1008 or nblanchard@westsuburbanveterans.com. Main office: 781.489.7509
Self Help: Your local community agency can help in a variety of ways.
Westwood Council on Aging Outreach Dept: Provides assistance with Fuel Assistance and SNAP benefits. Call Rachel Haddock, Licensed Social Worker, to schedule an appointment at 781.355.8105. You may also email her rhaddock@westwoodma.gov See the Seniors section below for more resources unique to seniors.
FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
Free and Reduced School Lunches: Heath Petracca 781.326.7500 x1304
Fee Waivers: For activities, high school athletics, kindergarten tuition, and transportation – John Cianciarulo 781.326.7500 x1341
In-Town Sports: Contact the organization in which you are interested for information regarding scholarships/fee waivers:
• Soccer westwoodsoccer.org
• Baseball westwoodlittleleague.org
• Pop Warner Football/Cheerleading westwoodpopwarner.com
• Boys Lacrosse westwoodyouthlacrosse.com
• Girls Lacrosse westwoodyouthlacrosse.com
• Hockey wyh.org
• Basketball westwoodbasketball.org
Westwood Early Childhood Council: Contact Janet Lucey (781) 329-6904 or jlucey@westwood.k12.ma.us for free programs and activities for parents and infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children.
Holiday Gift Program: Contact Westwood Youth & Family Services at 781.320.1006 for confidential help with presents for children 4-18 years old for the holidays.
Camps: Many camps offer scholarships but deadlines must be met. The following camps have traditionally offered full and partial scholarships to families in need. You must contact the camp directly.
• Hale Reservation, Westwood, MA 781.326.1770, Deadline in March
• Sarah Behn Basketball Camp, Foxboro, Deadline in February
• Westwood Recreation – www.townhall.westwood.ma.us
FOR SENIORS
Westwood Council on Aging: Provides information and referrals, connects seniors and their families with community resources and facilitates access to services such as fuel assistance, home care, caregiver support, food stamps, financial assistance programs, adult day health, transportation, health care proxies and more. Call Rachel Haddock at 781.355.8105 or email: rhaddock@westwoodma.gov.
Meals on Wheels: For seniors who cannot leave their homes call Hessco Elder Services at 781.784.4944.
Daily Meals at the Senior Center: Monday – Friday at 12pm. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance, 781.329.6514. The donation for each meal is $2.50.
Transportation: The Council on Aging has a van to assist with food shopping, trips to the senior center, medical appointments, town and social events. Call the Council at 781.329.8799 for more information.
HESSCO: HESSCO collaborates with physicians, hospitals and local service agencies to optimize available services and benefits. Call 781-784-4944.
SHINE: (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders) Provides information on various insurance issues. The COA has a SHINE counselor available each month to discuss health insurance issues. Call 781.329.8799 to schedule an appointment.