Community Resources
Here you can find a list of resources local to Ayer. The Ayer Library does not endorse any of the following resources; this list is for informational purposes only. Please contact each organization for the most up-to-date information.
Career Counseling/Job Search
North Central Career Center – 100 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA 01453 – www.ccncm.com – (978) 534-1481 – Hearing Impaired: (978) 534-1657
A Massachusetts One-Stop Career Center offering workshops, individual guidance, and training.
Shriver Job Corps Center – 270 Jackson Rd., Devens, MA 01434-5100 – shriver.jobcorps.gov
“Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 to 24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training.”
* See also “Unemployment Assistance” section at the bottom of this page.
Citizenship/Immigration
Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) www.mass.gov/orgs/office-for-refugees-and-immigrants – 617-727-7888 – TTY: 617-727-8147
“ORI supports services that meet cultural and linguistic needs of refugees and immigrants through a network of service providers in Massachusetts.”
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) – www.miracoalition.org – 617-350-5480
“MIRA is the largest coalition in New England promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees. With offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, [MIRA advances] this mission through education and training, leadership development, institutional organizing, strategic communications, policy analysis and advocacy.”
Clothing Pantry
Living Water Fellowship – 41 Littleton Road, Ayer, MA 01432
www.livingwaterfellowship.church/p/clothing-pantry.html – 978-772-6055
Open every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to noon. From their website: “Living Water Fellowship has a clothing and emergency food pantry for local residents who need help. There are no income requirements. If you or someone you know needs clothing, including infants and children, or needs some food staples to tide them over, please come and see us.”
Computer Skills
Mount Wachusett Community College – Computer classes in Leominster and Gardner – www.mwcc.edu – Gardner campus: 978-630-9259; Leominster campus: 978-534-1563
Check their course catalog for the most up-to-date information.
Middlesex Community College – Campuses in Bedford and Lowell
www.middlesex.mass.edu – 1-800-818-3434
Course Catalog: www.catalog.middlesex.mass.edu
Check their course catalog for the most up-to-date information.
Quinsigamond Community College – 25 Federal St., Worcester 01608 – www.qcc.edu – 508-751-7905
Check their course catalog for the most up-to-date information.
ONLC Training Centers – Offices in Worcester; Westborough; Woburn; Nashua, NH – www.onlc.com – 800-288-8221
Offer introductory classes in computer programs like Microsoft Word and Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Google Apps, and more.
Credit Counsling
American Consumer Credit Counseling
www.consumercredit.com/our-services/credit-counseling – 800-769-3571
Non-profit consumer credit counseling service; bilingual Spanish available.
Mass.gov: Attorney General on Dealing with Debt Credit Problems
Click here for information from the Massachusetts Attorney General on dealing with debt and credit problems.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
The National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233 – TTY: 1-800-787-3224
www.thehotline.org
Domestic Violence Services at the YWCA of Central Massachusetts
www.ywcacm.org/domestic-violence – 508-755-9030
“Domestic Violence Services at the YWCA provide direct and comprehensive support to survivors of domestic violence, and work to create community solutions that prevent domestic violence and promote healthy relationships.”
Safe Link – Jane Doe Inc., The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
1-877-785-2020 – TTY: 1-877-521-2601 – www.janedoe.org
Free, confidential, 24-hour hotline from Jane Doe Inc., a coalition of 60 Massachusetts programs working together to support survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
Pathways for Change
1-800-870-5905 – 24-hour hotline
www.pathwaysforchange.help/pfc
Rape crisis center serving Central Massachusetts.
Victim Rights Law Center
www.victimrights.org – 617-399-6720
Boston-based law center serving the legal needs of rape and sexual assault survivors.
Education
Ayer Shirley Regional School District
www.asrsd.org – 978-772-8600
Adult Education
Ayer Shirley Regional School District Community Education Program
www.asrsdcommunityed.org – 978-772-8600 ext. 1467
Offering courses, seminars, recreational activities, and outings. Visit their website for a full list of classes.
HiSET/GED
Massachusetts HiSET Requirements
hiset.ets.org/requirements/state/ma
Mount Wachusett Community College
https://mwcc.edu/academics/noncredit/aet/hi-set-ged-preparation/ – 978-630-9831
The Regional Adult Education Center at Mount Wachusett Community College offers free classes in Preparation for the new High School Equivalency Exam (HiSET) at their Leominster and Gardner branches. Call the Leominster branch to speak with an Adult Education & Training Representative, at 978-630-9831. Visit the website above for more information.
Elder Care and Services
Ayer Council on Aging – 18 Pond Street Rear, Ayer, MA 01432 www.ayer.ma.us/council-aging – 978-772-8260
“The mission of the Ayer Council on Aging is to enhance the quality of life for the Ayer seniors. To accomplish this, ongoing activities, services, educational programs, and outreach are offered at our Community Senior Center. All seniors in Ayer community are welcome.”
Nashoba Nursing Service & Hospice – 3 Patterson Rd., Suite 3, Shirley, MA 01464
www.nashoba.org – 978-425-6675
Offering home health care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more.
Montachusett Home Care – 680 Mechanic St., Leominster, MA 01453 www.montachusetthomecare.org – 978-537-7411
Offering home health care, a supportive housing program, and more.
Alzheimer’s Association
www.alz.org – 800-272-3900
For information on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
ESL (English as a Second Language) Resources
Mount Wachusett Community College
https://mwcc.edu/academics/noncredit/aet/free-esol-classes/
978-630-9831
The Regional Adult Education Center at Mount Wachusett Community College offers free classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (three levels) at their Devens, Leominster, and Gardner branches. Call the Leominster branch to speak with an Adult Education & Training Representative, at 978-630-9831. Visit the website above for more information.
Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area
www.lvmonta.org – 978-343-8184
Free, confidential, and individualized tutoring in basic literacy and ESL to adults and out-of-school youths over the age of 16 through the use of professionally trained and supported volunteer tutors. If you would like to arrange for a student assessment, please call 978-343-8184 or email literacy26@aol.com.
Spanish American Center – 112 Spruce St., Leominster, MA
www.spanishamericancenter.org/esl-classes – 978-534-3145
English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are Saturday mornings, 9 a.m. to noon.
Food Assistance
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Inc. – 234 Barnum Road, Devens, MA 01434
www.loavesfishespantry.org – 978-772-4627
Loaves & Fishes provides food to individuals in need who reside in Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. Visit their website for details.
Food Pantry at Apple Valley Baptist Church – 12 Columbia Street, Ayer, MA 01432
Open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.
SNAP Benefits (food stamps)
www.mass.gov/snap-benefits-food-stamps – DTA Assistance Line: 877-382-2363
Project Bread and FoodSource Hotline
www.projectbread.org/get-help – Hotline: 1-800-645-8333 – TTY: 1-800-377-1292
Project Bread works to fully enroll individuals in state and federal nutrition programs as well as refers callers to local food resources. Their toll-free FoodSource hotline can connect you to food resources in your community.
North Central WIC
www.mocinc.org/north-central-wic – 978-345-6272 (Main site)
“WIC provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income mothers, infants and children up to age five.”
Health
Massachusetts Health Connector (Health Insurance)
1-877-MA-Enroll (1-877-623-6765)
www.mahealthconnector.org
Massachusetts Health and Social Services
www.mass.gov/topics/health-social-services
MassHealth
www.mass.gov/topics/masshealth
Medicare.gov: The Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare
www.medicare.gov
Choosing Wisely: Medical Resources
www.choosingwisely.org
North Central WIC
www.mocinc.org/north-central-wic – 978-345-6272 (Main site)
“WIC provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income mothers, infants and children up to age five.”
Quit Smoking Tips from the American Lung Association
www.lung.org/stop-smoking
Alzheimer’s Association Worcester Community Action Council
www.alz.org – 800-272-3900
For information on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Heat Assistance and Energy Services
Worcester Community Action Council
www.wcac.net/fuel-assistance – 508-754-1176
Low income-eligible Fuel Assistance Program
Montachusett Opportunity Council (MOC)
www.mocinc.org/energy-services – 978-345-7040
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a government-funded program to help low-income homeowners and renters lower their energy costs by making their homes more energy efficient. MOC’s Heating System Repair and Replacement Program (HEARTWAP) provides heating system repairs and replacements for income eligible homeowners.
Housing
Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance
www.cmhaonline.org – 508-752-5519
CMHA’s Mission: “Recognizing the dignity of all, CMHA leads a collaborative response to homelessness that fosters long-term housing stability through prevention, quality services, education and advocacy.”
RCAP (Resources for Communities and People)
www.rcapsolutions.org – 800-488-1969
Helping eligible individuals and families in Massachusetts by providing affordable housing, homelessness prevention, workforce development, family unification, and self-sufficiency services.
Legal Services
Lawyer Referral Service
800-392-6164 (Toll-free)
Provided by the Massachusetts Bar Association
Community Legal Aid (Central MA)
www.communitylegal.org – Toll-free: 1-800-649-3718
Middlesex Community College Law Center:
https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/lawcenter/ – 978-656-3342
- Consumer Protection Program
From the MCC Law Center: “The MCC Law Center Consumer Protection Program works in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office to help resolve consumer complaints by telephone mediation. Complaints typically involve automobile repairs and sales, home improvement, debt collection and credit problems, shopping rights, and landlord/tenant disputes.” - Mediation and Conciliation Programs
Online Legal Resources:
Literacy
Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area
www.lvmonta.org – 978-343-8184
Free, confidential, and individualized tutoring in basic literacy and ESL to adults and out-of-school youths over the age of 16 through the use of professionally trained and supported volunteer tutors. If you would like to arrange for a student assessment, please call 978-343-8184 or email literacy26@aol.com.
Mental Health
Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call is routed to the nearest crisis center in the national network of more than 150 crisis centers.
Advocates – 1-800-640-5432 (24-hour Crisis Support Line)
www.advocates.org
Advocates serves people who face developmental, mental health, or other life challenges. Call the Crisis Support Line if you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. This 24-hour, free and confidential hotline provides treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish.
Disaster Distress Helpline – 1-800-985-5990
www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
Pregnancy/Birth Control
Planned Parenthood – 800-258-4448
Centers in Marlborough and Worcester.
Substance Abuse
Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline – 800-327-5050
www.helplinema.org
StartYourRecovery.org
www.startyourrecovery.org
Source of information about substance abuse and treatment options. Visit www.startyourrecovery.org/treatment and enter your zip code to search for local treatment options.
Worcester Alcoholics Anonymous – Covers Central Massachusetts, including Ayer www.aaworcester.org/Homepage.aspx?GRP=WAI – 508-752-9000
Central Massachusetts Area Narcotics Anonymous
www.centralmassna.org – 1-866-624-3578 – Email: info@centralmassna.org
Al-Anon and Ala-Teen Massachusetts
www.ma-al-anon-alateen.org – 508-366-0556
Support group for friends and family affected by a loved one’s drinking.
Nar-Anon
www.naranonctma.org – Toll-free hotline: 1-800-477-6291
Group for friends and family of someone addicted to drugs.
Tax Forms and Preparation Assistance
United Way of Central Massachusetts
www.unitedwaycm.org/our-work/strategic-initiatives/worcester-free-tax-service-coalition-formerly-eitc
Local tax preparers can help determine if you qualify and will assist in preparing your taxes for free.
Transportation
Massachusetts Department of Health & Human Service
www.mass.gov/im-looking-for-transportation
Resources on transportation for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, commuters, and others throughout Massachusetts.
MBTA Commuter Rail
Click here for the Fitchburg Line Schedule
(Ayer is on the Fitchburg line)
Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART)
Click here for routes and schedules – Buses and shuttles serving Ayer and much of North Central Mass.
ADA Paratransit Van Service (provided by MART)
www.mrta.us/services/ada-van-service
The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority provides ADA transportation for people whose disabilities prevent them from using the regular accessible MART fixed route bus for some or all of their trips. For more information, please visit the website linked above.
Unemployment Assistance
Click here for Massachusetts Unemployment Information
Click here for information on Massachusetts government benefits