Community and Resource Links

Read reviews and find out about upcoming books.

Author interviews and book reviews National Public Radio

Patrons of the Perkins Library have access to a world of resources - from braille and audio books to accessible magazines and museum passes. Readers with visual impairment, blindness or physical disability are able to read independently in a format most comfortable to them.

The MSBDC provides free and confidential business advice to existing and prospective small business people. Areas of assistance include, but are not limited to: business plan development, preventure feasibility, cash flow analysis, personnel and organizational issues, conventional and non-conventional financing, and marketing. They also offer training seminars on a variety of topics, including starting a business, financial planning, government procurement, marketing and international trade assistance.

SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, with more than 10,000 volunteers in 300 chapters.

Inc. Magazine's annual list of the top 5000 fastest growing private companies in America.

The SEC protects investors in the $3.8 trillion municipal securities markets that cities and towns rely on to provide neighborhood schools, local libraries and hospitals, public parks, safe drinking water and so much more. 

Learn about starting and managing a small business, search for loan and grant opportunities, find information about contracting, and more.

View detailed information about what to consider when conducting business in different countries. 

Learn the steps to start a small business, get financing help from the government, and more.

Find helpful resources for career research, job searches, resumes, cover letters, and interviews.

Explore different types of careers, find job training, and search for your next job.  Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Includes helpful tips, sample resumes and a sample cover letter.

These learning modules are designed to teach essential vocabulary skills related to computers, Microsoft Word, the Internet, and email. Created by the Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) service corps members in Saint Paul, MN. CTEP's goal is to help adult learners become full digital citizens so that they can fully participate in economic and daily life in the US. 

Information about how to protect yourself from job scammers.

Indeed is the #1 job site in the world, striving to put job seekers first, and giving them free access to search for jobs, post resumes, and research companies. It searches a wide variety of sources: job sites, newspapers, associations and company career pages for the keyword (or keywords) you enter in its search field, and can narrow results by distance from your selected location. You can also narrow results by salary, job type, company, and/or experience level. Once you have found a combination of search terms you like, you can tell Indeed to email you a report so you can be the first to know about the newest job postings.

Resources for job seekers and employers from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD).

For job seekers and employers, and funded by your state and federal tax dollars. Whether you are looking for a job, making a career change, increasing your earning potential, or seeking a top quality job applicant, MassHire Greater Brockton Career Center has the resources you need to be successful. Services offered for job seekers include: A state of the art Resource Room with technology and experienced professionals to help you apply for jobs on-line, post your resume, and much more; a wide variety of free workshops to help you sharpen your skills (including resume and cover letter writing); opportunities for free training; priority service for veterans, including a dedicated counselor for disabled veterans; on-site unemployment insurance counselors and resources to work on Unemployment Online applications and issues. You do not need to be unemployed to take advantage of their resources! 

From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The OOH can help you find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.

Need to brush up on your typing skills and/or speed? Visit this website for tests, practice, and games.

Find award-winning picture books.

Common Sense Media is the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. It helps families make smart media choices using the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites, books, and music. Their Parent Concerns and Parent Blog help families understand and navigate the problems and possibilities of raising children in the digital age.

For families of children with special health needs, chronic illness, or disability. This resource offers a directory of Early Intervention programs, as well as information on services and community resources. It also provides emotional support through a parent-to-parent matching program.  Family TIES is a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, funded by and in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, Division for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs.

The goal of the International Children's Digital Library (ICDL) Foundation is to build a collection of books that represents outstanding historical and contemporary books from throughout the world.  Ultimately, the Foundation aspires to have every culture and language represented so that every child can know and appreciate the riches of children's literature from the world community.

The purpose of kids-in-mind.com is to provide parents and other adults with objective and complete information about a film's content so that they can decide, based on their own value system, whether they should watch a movie with or without their kids.

Created by the Association for Library Service for Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association. The Notable Children’s Digital Media list includes real-time, dynamic, and interactive media content for children 14 years of age and younger that enables and encourages active engagement and social interaction while informing, educating, and entertaining in exemplary ways. 

View PBS Kids videos, play games, and enter contests.

A comprehensive resource addressing many aspects of bullying.  Includes a "Get Help Now" button to provide quick assistance to victims.

BTV Access Corporation as BTV, Bridgewater Community Television, or Cable 9, is a non-profit enterprise dedicated to serving the Bridgewater community by providing local programming, citizen access to the local television production facilities, and the education to use those facilities.

The mission of the Bridgewater Cultural Council (BCC) is to promote excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences in order to improve the quality of life for all Bridgewater residents and to contribute to the economic vitality of our community. 

The mission of the Bridgewater Senior Center is to promote the emotional, physical and economic well being of older adults and to encourage their participation in all aspects of community life.

The Bridgewater Fire Department provides protection to the 28,000 residents of our community as well as the students and staff of Bridgewater State University and the inmates and staff of the Massachusetts Correctional Institution.

The purpose of the Historical Commission is to preserve, protect, and develop the historical and archaeological assets of the Town.

The Bridgewater Police Department's mission is to work in partnership with the community to enhance the quality of life, guarantee Constitutional Rights, enforce the law, preserve the peace, reduce fear, and provide a safe environment, while maintaining the highest standards of honesty and integrity to ensure the public’s confidence.

CLAVC-funded legal aid programs offer a wide variety of civil legal services to victims of crime. Services can include housing, public benefits, family law, immigration, consumer law, health law, disability law, education, employment issues, elder law, veterans rights and much more. Contact the program directly by calling or applying for help online.

For families of children with special health needs, chronic illness, or disability. This resource offers a directory of Early Intervention programs, as well as information on services and community resources. It also provides emotional support through a parent-to-parent matching program.  Family TIES is a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, funded by and in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, Division for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs.

MARE finds "a permanent place to call home" for children in foster care, including sibling groups and children who are traditionally harder to place. They do this by recruiting and supporting families throughout the adoption process, while targeting recruitment efforts to find families for specific children. So far, MARE has helped over 6,300 children join their "forever families."

The Chamber serves nearly 1,000 member businesses of all sizes from virtually all industries in the communities of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Holbrook, Norwell, Randolph, Rockland, Sharon, Stoughton, West Bridgewater, and Whitman.

American Graphics Institute’s digital book collection provides access to books, video tutorials, and lesson files for self-paced learning of many popular design technology topics ranging from Adobe software applications, digital video editing tools, web design and coding skills, and office applications. The collection also includes training videos created by the authors as well as lesson files. More than one million of these books are in print, and Ames Free Library patrons can access current and past digital versions of these book titles while on the library's network. Access is limited to Ames Library patrons on the library’s network.

These learning modules are designed to teach essential vocabulary skills related to computers, Microsoft Word, the Internet, and email. Created by the Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) service corps members in Saint Paul, MN. CTEP's goal is to help adult learners become full digital citizens so that they can fully participate in economic and daily life in the US.

If you are new to computers, haven't used them for a while, are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher, DigitalLearn Computer Tutorials has the tools to help you tackle technology at your own pace and gain the confidence you need to succeed.

For more than a decade, the GCFLearnFree.org program has helped millions around the world learn the essential skills they need to live and work in the 21st century. From Microsoft Office and email to reading, math, and more, GCFLearnFree.org offers more than 180 topics, including more than 2,000 lessons, 800+ videos, and 55+ interactives and games, completely free.

Need to brush up on your typing skills and/or speed? Visit this website for tests, practice, and games.

Learn about money management, using credit and loans, protecting personal identity, and avoiding financial scams.

Useful tips for evaluating the reliability of print and online information sources from the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

A free government site to report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission, build a step-by-step personalized recovery plan, and put that plan into action.

Working in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, the MASSPIRG (Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group) Consumer Action Center in Weymouth is an independent agency that resolves disputes between consumers and businesses through negotiation and mediation on a wide range of issues, including automobile sales and repair, home improvement transactions, debt collection and credit problems, retail sales and advertising, and landlord-tenant disputes, among others. There are no fees for their service.

The Simple Dollar's in-depth blog focuses on teaching financial literacy skills, along with lifelong personal finance strategies.

Provides information about fuel economy and the benefits of using more fuel-efficient vehicles. When you're looking to purchase a new vehicle, the U.S. EPA offers online fuel economy guides for each model year.

Science-based, accessible information to help consumers make smart seafood choices.

Search for goverment information about food and nutrition.

Find recipes and how-to videos.

WIC is a free nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services to Massachusetts families who qualify.

Information about food marketing, public policy, nutrition and childhood obesity.

This website will be the clearinghouse for the latest materials and information on the COVID-19 outbreak and will eventually serve a variety of purposes for the dissemination of public health and emergency management news in Bridgewater.

Contains the latest updates, including what you need to know, how to protect yourself, what to do when you think you are sick, and resources for the community.

Recommendations for use, FAQ's, and several methods of making DIY sew and no-sew face masks at home.

Developed by the Massachusetts Library System (MLS), with resources for parents/caregivers, school librarians, kids, and older adults. Also contains information on supporting your mental and emotional health, plus coronavirus research and how to identify misinformation.

Provides an overview, current cases, and updated information on the novel coronavirus, along with contact links.

Find information on employee rights, scams and fraud, health care, small business resources, and resources for immigrants, students, and families.

Economic assistance for American workers, families, businesses, and state and local governments.

Has your college search been interrupted by closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak? YouVisit provides 360-degree photo and virtual reality tours of 600+ college and university campuses.

A New Day is based in Brockton and offers a 24-hour Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Hotline at (508) 588-8255 or toll-free at (888) 293-7273. They also offer advocacy, individual and group crisis counseling, connections to community resources, and mentoring.

Our local Red Cross office is located in Medford and can be reached at (781) 410-3670. The Disaster Services toll-free number is: (800) 564-1234. In the event that you need emergency aid, the American Red Cross of Massachusetts provides temporary sheltering/housing, mental health assistance, financial assistance, and health services. All assistance from the Red Cross is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.

Having a mental health emergency? Contact the Emergency Services Programs (ESP) Crisis Line for Brockton: (508) 580-0801. CCBC offers services for both youth and adults, including onsite therapeutic response, psychiatric consultation, psychopharmacology intervention, referrals/linkages to behavioral health services and supports, and safety plans.

Search for substance use services and find helpful resources. The Helpline is the only statewide, public resource for finding licensed and approved substance use treatment and recovery services. Services are free and confidential. Call (800) 327-5050 8am-10pm Mon-Fri, and 8am-6pm weekends. Treatment options are available 24 hours a day through their website.

At the National Domestic Violence Hotline, highly trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to talk or chat confidentially with anyone in the United States who is experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. The Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to empower victims and survivors to find safety and live free of abuse. They also provide support to friends and family members who are concerned about a loved one. Advocates are available at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) in more than 200 languages. All calls are free and confidential.

Helps young people who have run away from home to stay safe, and also provides resources for parents. Call NRS Crisis Intervention hotline at 1-800-RUNAWAY, or access chat, email, or forums through their website.  Staff are available 24/7, 365 days a year to provide nonjudgmental, non-sectarian and non-directive support and to empower youth and families to develop a plan of action to improve their situation. NRS services include information and referrals to counseling, shelter, drug and alcohol-related treatment, and child protective services. Conference calls can be arranged between children and their families, or an agency that can help. A message service provides a means of communication for young people who are not ready to directly contact their families. NRS is also able to arrange free bus rides home or to an alternate living arrangement.

Call 1-800-273-8255, or chat through their website. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They also offer prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Offers a free and confidential 24/7 Parental Stress Line at (800) 632-8188 as well as online support groups every Friday at 8:30 a.m. or 12 p.m.

(617) 616-1616 or toll-free (800) 258-4448, option #3.  Planned Parenthood's trained health center staff and volunteers are available to discuss a wide range of issues related to birth control, pregnancy options, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS and other aspects of reproductive health.

RAINN offers the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. Call (800) 656-HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. Calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline gives you access to a range of free services including: confidential support from a trained staff member; support finding a local health facility that is trained to care for survivors of sexual assault; someone to help you talk through what happened; local resources that can assist with your next steps toward healing and recovery; referrals for long term support in your area; information about the laws in your community; and basic information about medical concerns.

Call 508-977-6000. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Need to talk? Call (877) 565-8860. Trans Lifeline's peer support hotline is run by and for trans people. They are available 10am-4am EST / 9am-3am CST / 7am-1am PST. (Volunteers may be available during off hours). Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.

Are you a veteran in crisis, or are you concerned about one? Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves. (800) 273-8255, text 838255, or chat online. Support is free, confidential, and 24/7 and available to all veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve, and their family members and friends.

Find information about adult & community learning services and the High School Equivalency Testing (HST) Program (formerly the GED).

"Find scholarships, other financial aid and internships from more than 2,200 programs, totaling nearly $6 billion."

Search for early education and child care programs near you.

Learn math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more on your own time. 

Search for local Head Start programs.

"This database contains more than 7,000 accredited post-secondary schools in the United States. Universities, colleges, community colleges, junior colleges, career schools and teaching hospitals are all represented. The schools are accredited by the 7 Regional Accrediting Organizations and 69 National, Professional and Specialized Accrediting Organizations."

Provides 360-degree photo and virtual reality tours of 600+ college and university campuses.

A subscription is needed for most searches, but some of it is free.  Includes great print charts for gathering information.  Features census searching and information about searching in other countries.

Genealogical web site for Bridgewater

The world’s largest list of genealogy related information.

Track your ancestors who came to America.

Free and searchable.  This site has lessons and free software for recording your genealogy records.

Provides general information and links in a subject directory format.

The "Encyclopedia of American Politics" with nonpartisan entries from a professional staff of writers, editors and researchers. 

Read the Transcript of the Bill of Rights - The National Archives.

The Boston Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (BBA LRS) is a public service provided by the Boston Bar Association. This website makes referrals to lawyers or other resources that specialize in the area of law related to your specific situation.

More than 223,000 hours of C-SPAN videos, including debates, speeches and rallies.  

Find registration deadlines, absentee voting guidelines, designated poling locations, information about U.S. elections, and other voting information from the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS).

Learn about the CIA's history, use the World Factbook to obtain up to date information about other countries, read declassified documents, and have fun in the Kids' Zone.

Includes histories of presidential debates, transcripts from some debates, and links to the C-SPAN video library for recent debate footage from the CPD, which is a nonpartisan corporation that organizes the presidential debates. 

Read the Transcript of the U.S. Constitution - The National Archives

The official website of the European Union.

Low income Massachusetts residents can create an account on the secure website, then log in and post their legal questions.  Volunteer lawyers answer the questions through the same website.  There is no charge to use this service. You can access the site from anywhere that you have internet access, including smart phones.  All information is confidential.

Official Website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

"The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation's record keeper. Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever. Those valuable records are preserved and are available to you, whether you want to see if they contain clues about your family’s history, need to prove a veteran’s military service, or are researching an historical topic that interests you."

At USPS.com. Find Post Office locations that offer passport acceptance services. You can filter your Post Office search to find specific passport services.

Reputable statistics compiled by regions, states, and cities in the United States.

myUSCIS provides a personalized account to help you navigate the immigration process. On myUSCIS, you will find: up-to-date information about the application process for immigration benefits; tools to help you prepare for filing and help finding citizenship preparation classes; and information to help explore your immigration options.

myUSCIS proporciona una cuenta personalizada para ayudarlo a navegar el proceso de inmigración. En myUSCIS, encontrará: información actualizada sobre el proceso de solicitud de beneficios de inmigración; herramientas para ayudarlo a prepararse para la presentación y ayudar a encontrar clases de preparación para la ciudadanía; e información para ayudar a explorar sus opciones de inmigración.

Unbiased information on elections, U.S. candidates and elected officials.  

This page provides links to several sites that contain advice for finding reliable health information on the Internet. Topics range from general advice to information about specific conditions and for specific groups.

For families of children with special health needs, chronic illness, or disability. This resource offers a directory of Early Intervention programs, as well as information on services and community resources. It also provides emotional support through a parent-to-parent matching program.  Family TIES is a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, funded by and in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, Division for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs.

The National Library of Medicine's guide to understanding genetic conditions.

American Academy of Pediatric's resource for parents and families.  Includes information about health, safety and development. 

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' database of common household products and their health effects.

Resources guides with information about DMH and other statewide services and programs.

Massachusetts' health insurance marketplace.

Free health promotion materials for Massachusetts residents and health and social services providers.

Research care options, find nursing facilities and learn about the care planning process.

Search for substance use services and find helpful resources. The Helpline is the only statewide, public resource for finding licensed and approved substance use treatment and recovery services. Services are free and confidential. Call (800) 327-5050 8am-10pm Mon-Fri, and 8am-6pm weekends. Treatment options are available 24 hours a day through their website.

The official U.S. government site for medicare.

Health information for patients and families from the U. S. National Library of Medicine.

Consumer health information from Merck.

Resources for older adults, professionals and advocates.

Patient education resources from the National Library of Medicine.  Also, includes the latest statistics, clinical trials, and journal articles from PubMed.

Resources to understand addiction, overdose, opioid drugs, treatment, and recovery.  Also, includes topic related searches of the biomedical journal literature.

Find substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States.

By the New England Historic and Genealogical Society (NEHGS). NEHGS is the nation’s leading comprehensive resource for family history research and the largest Society of its kind in the world. Through scholarship, research, education, and content, NEHGS is a wealth of family history information, in easy reach.

This site provides access to thousands of images, documents, and sound recordings that have been digitized by member institutions so that they may be available to researchers, students, and the general public.

Learning a language on Duolingo is completely free, but you can remove ads and support free education with Plus.

Pronunciations of over 2.5 million words, crowdsourced from native speakers.

Includes resources on resume writing, properly citing sources, avoiding plagiarism, basic letter writing and more. 

Founded on October 6, 1876 during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the mission of ALA is “to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.”

The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals.

All about birds from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Learn about and identify New England's flora. 

Common Sense Media is the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. It helps families make smart media choices using the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites, books, and music. Their Parent Concerns and Parent Blog help families understand and navigate the problems and possibilities of raising children in the digital age.

Define American is a narrative and culture change organization that uses media and the power of storytelling to transcend politics and shift the conversation about immigrants, identity, and citizenship in a changing America.

Find movies, TV, and local showtimes; watch trailers and read reviews; research celebs and events; find photos; and read news on your favorite titles.

The purpose of kids-in-mind.com is to provide parents and other adults with objective and complete information about a film's content so that they can decide, based on their own value system, whether they should watch a movie with or without their kids.

Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate, and impact the culture in which they live.

Rotten Tomatoes and the Tomatometer score are the world’s most trusted recommendation resources for quality entertainment. As the leading online aggregator of movie and TV show reviews from critics, Rotten Tomatoes provides fans with a comprehensive guide to what’s Fresh – and what’s Rotten – in theaters and at home. 

Search for schools, learn about financial aid and start planning for college.

Born This Way Foundation is committed to supporting the wellness of young people, and empowering them to create a kinder and braver world. They achieve this by shining a light on real people, quality research, and authentic partnerships. They also have an active blog, extensive resource list, and hotlines to call in the event of a crisis. 

This website is a comprehensive guide detailing the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disabilities such as depression, ADHD, eating disorders and anxiety and the educational challenges college students with these mental disorders face. It also discusses campus services, course accommodations and strategies that students can use to assist them when they go to college.

The College Internship Program at the Berkshire Center provides individualized, post-secondary academic, internship and independent living experiences for young adults with Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD and other Learning Differences. Learn more by calling 877-566-9247.

Crisis Text Line is a 24- hour support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US and you will receive an automated text asking you what your crisis is. Within minutes, a live trained crisis counselor will answer your text. The text exchange is free, confidential and will not appear on your phone statement 

This website is meant for teens who have been coping with depressed mood. This resource teaches a set of skills that teens can apply to their own life to overcome depression. It is meant to provide teens and concerned adults with accurate information about depression. This online resource is based on and complementary to Dealing with Depression: Antidepresssant Skills for Teens (Bilsker, Gilbert, Worling & Garland, 2005).

The mission of this forum is to create an atmosphere that is both supportive and informative in a caring, safe environment for  members to talk to their peers about depression, anxiety, mood disorders, medications, therapy and recovery.

Apply for financial aid through the U.S. Department of Education, and get help preparing for college, and managing and repaying your student loans.

Mental health problems don't only affect adults. Children, teens and young adults can have mental health problems, too. In fact, three out of four people with mental health problems showed signs before they were 24 years old. This website offers a lot of information on how to talk about mental health and where to get help if you or someone you know needs it.

Go Ask Alice! is a health Q&A Internet resource. It provides readers with reliable, accurate, accessible, culturally competent information and a range of thoughtful perspectives so that they can make responsible decisions concerning their health and well-being. 

Half of Us, mtvU and The Jed Foundation aim to initiate a public dialogue to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health issues and connect students to the appropriate resources to get help. The goal is to provide information about mental health and help teens and young adults find needed resources. The website also hosts interviews woth celebrities who has struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues. 

IM Hear is the teen-to-teen online instant messaging program of our Befriending Services. It is dedicated specifically to providing online emotional support and to the prevention of suicide among teens. Begun in 2012, this teen online chat service provides confidential peer support and understanding to teens who are struggling with feelings of depression, loneliness and stress. When trained, Samariteens (volunteers between the ages of 15 and 18) are available so IM Hear will operate Monday through Thursday from 6pm – 9pm.

This site provides access to the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, a phone and internet resource operated by the National Domestic Violence Hotline. This Helpine and web site were designed exclusively for teens so they can contact a trained peer or adult advocate anonymously and confidentially. The Helpline and loveisrespect.org offer real-time one-on-one support, information, and advocacy to those involved in dating abuse relationships, as well as to concerned parents, teachers, clergy, law enforcement, and service providers.

The Youth Development Committee (YDC) was formally established as a sub-committee of the Massachusetts State Mental Health Planning Council in 2002 to focus on transition age programming (defined as those individuals between the ages of 16 and 25) and to create a voice for youth. It continues to serve as an advisory board to the Mental Health Planning Council, and has been key in the development of the Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Transition Age Youth (TAY) Initiative. Meetings occur on the 4th Monday (pending holiday) of every other month in Boston, MA.

The “Students & Young Adults” section gives information and resources about drugs, smoking, marijuana, steroids, prescription medications, and other topics.

NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care. NEDA's programs and services are designed to help you find the help and support you need. They also have a Helpline available Monday-Thursday from 9AM to 9PM and Friday from 9AM to 5PM for support, resources and treatment options.

Practice the SAT for free.

This website has lots of information about mental health including specific information about disorders, but also about the teen brain, importance of sleep, and other issues impacting teens.  There's also stories from teens about living with certain mental health issues, and sections for friends, teachers, parents and health professionals about how to help teens struggling with mental health concerns.

TeenHelp.com was developed for parents of teens as well as teens going through common adolescent development issues. There are facts sheets, statistics and informative guides on topics such as self-esteem, suicide, depression, sexual abuse/trauma, substance use and developing positive relationships and moral values.

Providing a safe place for teens who need honest and accurate information, this website provides resources on mental health issues. 

The mission of The Herren Project is to provide assistance in taking the first steps toward recovery and a life of sobriety, educational programs and resources to increase awareness on the signs of addiction and bring hope for a better tomorrow.  The Project Purple initiative encourages people of all ages to “Go Purple” and stand up to substance abuse. Although open to all ages, the initiative is specifically directed to the target audience of school aged youth and teenagers promoting good decision making and a sober culture within schools.

An understanding of how the brain of an adolescent is changing may help explain a puzzling contradiction of adolescence: young people at this age are close to a lifelong peak of physical health, strength, and mental capacity, and yet, for some, this can be a hazardous age. The more we learn, the better we may be able to understand the abilities and vulnerabilities of teens, and the significance of this stage for life-long mental health.

The Trevor Project provides crisis support through its accredited, free and confidential phone, instant message and text messaging crisis intervention services. Focus on suicide prevention, The Trevor Project offers the largest safe social networking community for LGBTQ youth and resources for youth and adults. The Trevor Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 or connect through Text or Chat.

ULifeline is an anonymous, confidential, online resource center, where college students can be comfortable searching for the information they need and want regarding emotional health.  

YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) has launched its new Teen Book Finder, a free database and app that can access nearly 4,000 titles. The app is Android and iOS compatible and features: the ability to search for books by author, title, award/list year, genre, by award, and by book list; a "Find It!" button, powered by the OCLC WorldCat Search API, that will show users where to find the book in a nearby library; a "Favorites" button, to create an individualized booklist; and the ability to share books from the Teen Book Finder on Twitter and Facebook.

12 must-have books for children of deployed parents.

The Department of Career Services provides employment and training services to veterans and their families. Dedicated staff is available throughout the state to help veterans transition to civilian employment. Veterans and their eligible spouses receive Priority of Service throughout the full array of services provided through the One-Stop Career Center System.

CHAMPVA is a comprehensive health care benefits program in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs offers a tax free monetary benefit to veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Compensation may also be paid for post-service disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) savings guide.

The mission of the Department of Veterans’ Services is to advocate on behalf of all the Commonwealth’s veterans and provide them with quality support services and to direct an emergency financial assistance program for those veterans and their dependents who are in need.

A compilation of resources regarding major state benefits in the areas of education, employment, housing, motor vehicles, property taxes, and medical assistance. Information regarding recent amendments to federal and state legislation on employment rights and federal burial benefits is also offered. Information specifically included for members of the Guard and Reserve.

Access to state and Federal financial, educational, and housing benefits through an easy to use, online resource.

The Massachusetts RMV makes certain exemptions from regular procedures and waives certain fees for military service members, veterans, and their spouses/dependents.

MSEP creates employment connections that provide companies with direct access to military spouses seeking career opportunities, and spouses with direct access to employers who are actively recruiting.

Occupational license map and finder tool.

Military.com's free membership connects servicemembers, military families and veterans to all the benefits of service — government benefits, scholarships, discounts, lifelong friends, mentors, great stories of military life or missions, and much more.

The fundamental principle of the SAVE program is to advocate for veterans who are not able to obtain the benefits they have earned due to institutional or personal barriers. The program's primary mission is prevention of suicide and mental health distress through the identification of issues facing veterans when they return from service and proactively providing them with access to benefits and services that may address these issues and result in positive transitions back to civilian life.

Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams.

Heath care, benefits, burials and memorials.

Are you a veteran in crisis, or are you concerned about one? Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves. (800) 273-8255, text 838255, or chat online. Support is free, confidential, and 24/7 and available to all veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve, and their family members and friends.

Through this National Archives website, veterans or next-of-kin of deceased veterans can use online order forms to request service records, medical records, and replacement medals; or submit burial and emergency requests.

VETS serve America's veterans and separating service members by preparing them for meaningful careers, providing employment resources and expertise, and protecting their employment rights.