To update or request to add resources to the list, please email Kendall Shepard at kshepard@fortunesociety.org.

If you are recently released from jail or prison: 

Click here for information on our services and contact info for accessing them.

Our Prepare for Release program is offering transportation for those released. Contact the hotline number at 347-510-3436.

Probation and Criminal Court

If you have a loved one who is incarcerated in New York:

Cash Bail and Court & Trust walk-in services for cash bail and court & trust at the Manhattan Business Center at 66 John Street have resumed. Visit the Cash Bail or Court & Trust Funds pages for more information.

If you need immediate assistance such as food delivery and transportation, there may be groups in your neighborhood who can help:

For a list of neighborhood-based assistance available across New York State, visit this resource page

A map of locations of neighborhood-based assistance groups across the country

Visit Mutual Aid NYC for connections to community-based groups who are available to help in your neighborhood during COVID-19.

If you need immediate support, call the Mutual AID NYC Hotline at 212-979-0611. 

Use the map and lists on this page to find an assistance group in your community. Reach out directly to this group so someone in your neighborhood can help you quickly.

Request assistance online from Mutual Aid NYC to connect with people in your area who can help you.

For a list of veteran-specific assistance in your neighborhood, reach out to the NYC Veterans Alliance.

 

Education and Employment Information

Contact 347-510-3628 or ees@fortunesociety.org for Education and Employment services at The Fortune Society.

If you are currently pursuing higher education after incarceration, view this guide to learn more about post-secondary education options available.  

Filing for unemployment and accessing unemployment benefits:

How to file an unemployment claim and access New York State unemployment insurance benefits

A step-by-step guide to filing an unemployment insurance claim online 

Food and Nutrition 

Grab and go meals at our Harlem housing unit are only available for current residents.

If you are a current Fortune client, contact Nicholas Posada at 929-487-9811 or nposada@fortunesociety.org for assistance accessing SNAP.

Use this map from GetFoodNYC to find locations that offer free food (food pantries and Grab & Go meals at NYC schools), as well as grocery stores and farmer’s markets.

Apply for SNAP Benefits online

If you are in need of emergency food access, please call the Emergency Food Hotline at (866) 888-8777 or dial 311.

A list of congregate and home-delivered meal providers in NY State

Free meals can be delivered to seniors through the NYC Department for the Aging. Call Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) or 311.

 

Benefits

If you are a current Fortune client, contact Nicholas Posada at 929-487-9811 or nposada@fortunesociety.org for benefits assistance.

Create an ACCESS HRA account online, which will allow you to apply for certain HRA benefits, submit documents for your application, manage your case, and more

If your needs cannot be met by ACCESS HRA, call 311, or visit the pages below for information on open locations:

A map of SNAP centers

A map of Job and Service centers

A map of Medicaid offices

RetireGuide on Medicaid

Senior Discounts and Benefits

If you or someone you know is a low-wage worker, here’s a guide from the New York City Low Wage Workers Task Force on what benefits you are eligible for. 

 

Housing

If you are experiencing homelessness and need immediate shelter, the Coalition for the Homeless may be able to help if you leave a message at their crisis hotline: 212-776-2177.

As of January 15, 2022, residential evictions are no longer suspended. Visit www.nycourts.gov or call (833) 503-0447 for more information.

The Housing Court Answers hotline at (212) 962-4795 can help you with housing court procedures, landlord and tenant rules, and referrals for legal help.

Resources for NYCHA residents

If you are able, download the MyNYCHA app to complete transactions and manage tickets virtually.

NYCHA residents who have experienced income loss can request rent reductions through the NYCHA self-service online portal or calling the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771. 

Resources for Section 8 housing tenants

Section 8 housing tenants in NYC with hardships paying rent due to income loss may contact the NYC Housing Preservation and Development at DTRAI@hpd.nyc.gov or by fax at 212-863-5299.

Connect to Rental Assistance Programs like CityFHEPS, and other state and federal government programs

Contact the Tenants Rights Hotline by Met Council at 212-979-0611 (ingles y espanol).

The ABCs of housing. (English, عربي,  Polski, русский, Español, हिंदी, اردو, Kreyol Ayisyen, Français, 普通话, 한국어)

 

Healthcare

If you are recently released and need assistance accessing medical care, contact our Care Management Unit.

Enroll in Medicaid through HRA’s Medical Assistance Program.

Enroll in Medicaid or purchase an insurance plan through the New York State of Health Marketplace.

Enroll in health insurance with a specialist through GetCoveredNYC.

Determine your eligibility for Emergency Medicaid.

    Mental Health

    Our Mental Health program is accepting new referrals and conducting sessions via telephone or video. Contact blcrefferals@fortunesociety.org.

    Guide to Mental Health for Students

    If you are seeking immediate help for a mental health issues, here are some hotlines:

    National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for people experiencing mental health crises: (800) 273-8255

    New York State Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Line provides free and confidential support for callers experiencing increased anxiety due to COVID-19: (844)-863-9314

    New York State Crisis Text Line, an anonymous texting service available 24/7. Text GOT5 to 741741

    NYC Well offers free and confidential mental health support and counseling in 200+ languages: (888) 692-9355

    The New York Psychotherapy & Counseling Center is offering phone therapy sessions: (718) 553-1100

    Trans Lifeline connects trans individuals to support and resources: (877) 565-8860

    The National Sexual Assault Hotline provides 24-hour support for survivors of sexual assault. Trained staff can be reached at (800) 656-HOPE (4673) and through chat.

    For at-home opportunities to improve mental and emotional wellness, compiled by the Fortune community, visit the Good Ship Fortune resource guide.

    Here are some more resources:

    New York State Mental Health Department

    Insight Timer Meditation App

    Mental Health Guide for College Students

    CDC’s Evidence-based practices to support and strengthen mental and emotional resilience

     

    Substance Use and Alcohol Recovery Resources

    For more information about our Substance Use Treatment program, contact Jasmine Lastra at 929-487-9495 or jlastra@fortunesociety.org.

    A comprehensive list of recovery resources, including crisis hotlines, guidance for people who use substances, online recovery meetings, and recovery support apps.

    Alcohol Use Hotline Guide

    Guidance for people who use substances

    What to Expect During Alcohol Detox

    Free virtual recovery meetings from United Recovery

    Resources for people with substance use disorders from Addiction Support Group

    Information on rehab from Addiction Group

    Long Term Rehab in New York

    Here are some recovery support apps: 

    Sober Grid allows you to create online profiles and interact, support, and engage with other people in recovery.

    SoberTool tracks your clean and sober days. The app includes daily motivational messages and reminders. 

    The WEconnect provides you with daily reminders to stay on track with your recovery plan.

    AA Big Book This app gives you interactive access to the full text of the Big Book, along with a meeting finder, podcasts, prayers, and motivational support. 

    12 Step Meditation Daily Reflections for AA, NA, Al-Anon This app features guided meditations, music, and 12-step recovery audio.

    I Am Sober to track your sober milestones and find motivation from an understanding community

    Find AA meetings on Skype

    Resources for LGBTQ+ People 

    How to Support Adolescents Questioning Their Sexuality

    The SAGEConnect hotline for LGBT Elders

    Start a conversation with the Trevor Space

    Resources for Seniors and People With Disabilities

    If you have any specific questions or concerns please contact the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities directly at 212-788-2830 (Voice Phone) or 646-396-5830 (Video Phone).

    A Guide to Senior Living in New York from Senior Housing Net

    A Complete Guide to Health Insurance Coverage for Older New Yorkers

    For services for older adults, contact the Aging Connect Hotline (212) 244-6469 or agingconnect@aging.nyc.gov.

     

    Resources for People Living with HIV and AIDS 

    Our Drop-In Center program is following up with current Fortune clients. Contact Nilda Ricard at 646-937-5358 or nricard@fortunesociety.org for more info. 

    Sexual Health Resources

    Guidance and Resources During Disruption of STD Clinical Services from the Center for Disease Control

    A Guide to Hepatitis C Testing from STDtesting.org

     

    Resources for Children and Families 

    Our Family Services program is continuing to serve current clients via telephone and video. Contact Patricia Ramjohn at pramjohn@fortunesociety.org.

    You can find contact information for your student’s school by searching on the NYC School Search website.

    Read the Parents Guide to Google Classrooms in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Bangla, Russian, and Wolof). 

     

    Domestic Violence Support

    The National Domestic Violence Hotline has advocates available to have confidential conversations with survivors of domestic violence. Advocates are available 24 hours per day and can be reached at (800) 799-SAFE. Survivors can chat with advocates here or text LOVEIS to 22522. Hotline is available 24/7 in more than 200 languages. All calls are free and confidential.

    Contact the NYC Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 621-4673.

    VIP Mujeres has a free bilingual domestic violence hotline (Spanish/English), as well as resources, temporary shelter and legal support: 1-800-664-5880. 

    For info on domestic violence shelters, visit Safe Horizon or call 1-800-621-HOPE.

    Her Justice Legal Helpline at (718) 562-8181 for advice and counsel on emergency domestic violence cases

    The National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline has advocates available 24/7 for crisis intervention, education, information and referrals for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled callers. This hotline has online chat, video call, or email options.  Reach them at nationaldeafhotline@adwas.org or video call at 855-812-1001.

     

    Arts, Learning and Wellness Resources

    Our Creative Arts program is continuing via phone and video for current Fortune clients. Contact Jamie Maleszka at 347-510-3668 or jmaleszka@fortunesociety.org for more info.

    Through “Good Ship Fortune,” we’ve created an extensive list of links and resources to arts, learning, and wellness opportunities to help people with their physical, mental and emotional well-being during COVID-19. View the full resource page here, which contains resources ranging from self-care to movies, fitness and virtual art tours. 

    View a list of Kid and Teen-Friendly arts, learning, and wellness resources from The Fortune Society.

     

    Finance and Taxes 

    Free online financial counseling 

     

    Voting and Elections 

    Sign up to receive email and text message updates at nycvotes.nyccfb.info/vote_smart, or text VOTESMART to 917-979-6377.

    Read more information about voting in 

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