Family Resources
COUNSELING
MONTEREY
Community Human Services is a 501c(3) public nonprofit and Joint Powers Authority providing substance abuse and mental health counseling and recovery services to middle and low income individuals and families in Monterey County, California.
Addressing underlying conditions or root causes of personal, family and community problems, whether it’s addiction, domestic violence, mental illness, emotional health, homelessness, child abuse, or any number of problems that people have trouble solving on their own.
CHS helps clients develop new skills and support networks, learn new behaviors, and learn how to utilize community resources. These services affect change in the community by reducing the need for social services, law enforcement, hospitals, jails and prisons, and by improving school attendance, performance and social outcomes for children.
Bilingual
COVID-19 Hours: Telehealth Services Only, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm
Locations: Monterey, Salinas, Seaside
Main Office
2560 Garden Road, Suite 201
Monterey CA 93942
831.658.3811
Shine a Light Counseling Center is a 501(c) non-profit counseling center offering services on a sliding scale and free therapy for Medi-Cal clients. Providing therapy to those who would not otherwise be able to afford it.
- Quality, Affordable Psychotherapy
- Couples and Family Counseling
Bilingual
Locations: Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Watsonville
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 9pm
1010 Cass Street, Suite C3
Montery Ca 93940
831.996-1222
Papillon Center for Loss & Transition is dedicated to building healthier communities by providing professionally led, compassionate services for individuals, families and children experiencing loss and transition.
Losing someone you love can be devastating. You may feel overwhelmed, addled with “grief brain”, isolated. Friends and family offer support but may not know what to say or do, or may be experiencing their own grief.
In groups, you’ll meet others who are experiencing similar emotions and coping in a variety of ways, people who are working to grieve in a healthy, resilient way. Every grief experience is different, but you are not in this alone.
Grief support for: Adults and children, drop-in bereavement discussion, Good Grief for kids and teens, pregnancy and infant loss, child loss group.
Cost: Free
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10am to 1pm Note: Zoom is being used during COVID-19.
70 Garden Court, Suite 201
Monterey CA 93940
Office: 831.657.9149
Cell: 831.320.1188
SANTA CRUZ
Shine a Light Counseling Center is a 501(c) non-profit counseling center offering services on a sliding scale and free therapy for Medi-Cal clients. Providing therapy to those who would not otherwise be able to afford it.
- Quality, Affordable Psychotherapy
- Couples and Family Counseling
Bilingual
Locations: Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Watsonville
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 9pm
700 Frederick Street, Suite 103
Santa Cruz CA 95062
831.996-1222
Since 1957 Family Service Agency of the Central Coast has been providing counseling, suicide prevention, and supportive services to those in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties.
Hours: Varied
104 Walnut Avenue, Suite 208
Santa Cruz CA 95060
831.346.6767 x200
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing prevention education, training, and counseling services to children and families of Pajaro Valley and neighboring Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm
Mayou Family Center
411 East Lake Avenue
Watsonville, CA 95076
831.728.6445
SAN BENITO
Community Solutions provides a comprehensive spectrum of prevention, intervention, treatment, and residential services to the communities of Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. CS provides services and support to help children, families, and individuals overcome the challenges posed by mental health issues, substance abuse, trauma, severe family dysfunction, sexual and domestic violence, and human trafficking.
Children and youth ages 5-20 (and their families) who are living with mental health challenges.
Services include: Case management; counseling (individual, group and/or family); medication support services; crisis intervention and after-hours crisis line; referral and linkage to additional services and resources.
Bilingual
Prerequisite: Must have full-scope medical
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm
341 Tres Pinos Road #202B
Hollister CA 95023
831.637.1094
408.683.4118 (crisis line)
The San Benito County Behavioral Health Department is committed to your mental health and substance-use treatment needs. SBCBHD provides clinical assessment, outpatient counseling services, medication services, case management services, outreach services, therapeutic behavioral services (TBS), and crisis intervention to children, youth, and adults. Accepts some insurances, MediCal and sliding scale based on income.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm
1131 San Felipe Road
Hollister, CA 95023
831.636-4020
888-636-4020
S. SANTA CLARA
Community Solutions provides a comprehensive spectrum of prevention, intervention, treatment, and residential services to the communities of Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. CS provides services and support to help children, families, and individuals overcome the challenges posed by mental health issues, substance abuse, trauma, severe family dysfunction, sexual and domestic violence, and human trafficking.
Children and youth ages 5-20 (and their families) who are living with mental health challenges.
Services include: Case management; counseling (individual, group and/or family); medication support services; crisis intervention and after-hours crisis line; referral and linkage to additional services and resources.
Bilingual
Prerequisite: Must have full-scope medical
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm
9015 Murray Avenue, #100
Gilroy, CA 95020
16264 Church Street, #103
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
408.842.7138, Gilroy
408.779.2113, Morgan Hill
408.683.4118 (crisis line)
Affordable family counseling, insurance-accepting. Provides both in-office, and at-school counseling option for children.
Bilingual (Chinese, English, Spanish)
COVID-19 Hours: Telehealth Only
16275 Monterey Road, Suite C
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
8351 Church Street, Suite E
Gilroy, CA 95020
408.778.5120
FOOD
MONTEREY
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) is the largest supplemental food program the Food Bank operates. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food commodities are distributed at 26 sites throughout Monterey County via tailgate distribution on a monthly basis.
Bilingual
Locations: 26 sites throughout Monterey County
353 West Rossi Street
Salinas CA 93907
831.758.1523
CalFresh is California’s food stamps (SNAP) program. Apply to get up to $194 a month per household member on an EBT card.
Bilingual
Emergency In-Person Services
1000 South Main Street, Suite 216, Salinas
1281 Broadway Ave, Seaside
116 Broadway Street, King City
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm
New Applicants: 1.866.323.1953
Existing Clients: 1.877.410.8823
SANTA CRUZ
Second Harvest Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger through healthy foods, education, and leadership.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm
Locations: Call for distribution locations
Main Office
800 Ohlone Parkway
Watsonville CA 95076
831.722.7110
Community Action Board (Centro de Recursos y Servicios de Davenport) provides services to support the culturally diverse and low-income population in the rural north coast. Emergency and prevention services include food programs, youth services, senior services, immigration services, and much more.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10am to 6pm
Closed for lunch 1pm to 1:30pm
150 Church Street
Davenport, CA 95017
831.425.8115
SAN BENITO
Salvation Army programs include a pantry, thrift store, and financial aid, with limited funding for back rent and electricity bills. SA focuses on homeless prevention and feeding the hungry.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Sunday 9am to 5pm
910 Buena Vista Road
Hollister CA 95023
831.636.9832
Fishes and Loaves distributes food bags to the 1st 20 families in line up to 6 times per year.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm
Sacred Heart Church
680 College Street
Hollister, CA 95023
831.637.8669
The mission of Community Food Bank is to fight hunger and malnutrition in San Benito County. CFB is a source of supplemental food for the working poor, low-income seniors, families, children, homeless and disabled citizens of our area.
Bilingual
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 8am to 4pm; Saturday, 8am to 12pm
Closed for lunch between 12pm and 1pm (M-TH)
1133 San Felipe Road
Hollister, CA 95023
831.637.0340
S. SANTA CLARA
The Salvation Army provides a food pantry and meal programs.
Food Pantry: By offering access to free, fresh produce and canned goods, The Salvation Army provides valuable meal supplementation while helping those in need maintain their independence and dignity.
Meal Programs: From sit-down meals that provide nutritious food and valuable human interaction, to mobile meals that deliver much-needed sustenance to those who cannot reach a food distribution center, The Salvation Army ensures that the most vulnerable members of our community do not go hungry.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm
Corps Community Center
200 West 5th Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
408.848.5373
Weekly groceries available to anyone in need. No registration required.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 2pm
7950 Church Street #A
Gilroy, CA 95020
408.842.6662
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
MONTEREY
Supportive Services (SS) assists families and individuals onto the path of financial stability and self-sufficiency by providing direct assistance and focused collaboration with other community-based organizations. For many families facing economic crisis, Catholic Charities Supportive Services provides the first step toward stabilization.
One time direct assistance towards a portion of: 1st month of rent, past due rent, past due electricity, gas, or water.SS offers an array of supportive services, such as application assistance for CalFresh and Nutrition Education sessions to further increase client’s resources.
Taking new referrals starting Oct. 22nd.
Bilingual
922 Hilby, Suite C, Seaside, 831.393.3110
1705 Second Avenue, Salinas, 831.422.0602
PG&E assists customers by providing financial assistance programs, tools, and tips to save energy. Reduced energy rates for qualified customers through CARE or FERA programs.
Bilingual
SANTA CRUZ
The Community Action Board’s Rental Assistance Program is an eviction prevention program and offers rental/mortgage assistance to Santa Cruz County residents faced with an eviction notice.
Bilingual
COVID-19 Hours: Leave voicemail with your phone number for return call
406 Main Street, Suite 220, Watsonville 831.763.2147
501 Soquel Avenue, Suite E, Santa Cruz 831.457.1741
Catholic Charities Hope in Home program is a limited financial stability program serving families and individuals seeking short-term support. Includes: Needs assessment; Short-term goal setting and individualized support; One time direct assistance towards a portion of: 1st month of rent, past due rent, past due electricity, gas, or water; & referrals and assistance navigating other local services
Bilingual
This program is offered only from Nov.-Feb.
Rental assistance begins Oct. 21st, (space is limited). To make an appointment, please call and leave a message. Offering assistance with CalFresh and MediCal as well.
656 Main Street
Watsonville, CA 95076
831.722.2675
Casa de la Cultura provides emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and other basic needs to help families work toward becoming self-sufficient. Casa de la Cultura also provides fresh, healthy food for the harvesting community.
Bilingual
225 Salinas Road
Pajaro, CA 95076
831.763.0702
SAN BENITO
Health and Human Services provides rental assistance. Call to be placed on a waiting list.
1111 San Felipe Road
Hollister, CA 95023
831.638.3315
Salvation Army, Hollister, provides bill pay assistance. They help struggling families and individuals so that they avoid falling into the cycle of crisis by supplementing their income with utility, rent and other vital payments.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm
910 Buena Vista Road
Hollister, CA 95023
S. SANTA CLARA
Catholic Charities provides support for families and individuals facing housing instability or homelessness.
Bilingual
COVID-19 Hours: Monday through Friday, 10am to 3pm
2625 Zanker Road, Suite 201
San Jose, CA 95134
408.468.0100
The Salvation Army provides homes for homeless, and is committed to serving where the need is the greatest.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm
Closed for lunch between 11:30am and 1pm
Corps Community Center
200 West 5th Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
408.848.5373
St. Joseph’s Family Center provides emergency rental and utility assistance to low income individuals and families on a one time basis.
Bilingual
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9am to 4pm
7950 Church Street Suite A
Gilroy, CA 95020
408.842.6662
HOUSING
MONTEREY
Chispa improves people’s lives and create healthy neighborhoods by developing, selling, owning and managing affordable homes.
Hours, During COVID-19: Closed
Bilingual
295 Main Street, Suite 100
Salinas, CA 93901
831.757.6251
The Salvation Army provides temporary housing for families needing help transitioning from homelessness into independent living. The program provides basic needs and services to families that are caught in the cycle of homelessness and are willing to commit to improving their lifestyle. Their mission is for families to secure permanent housing and to become independent and self-sufficient members of our community.
Bilingual
1491 Contra Costa, Seaside
831.899.1071, Yesenia Lopez-Rubio
The Housing Advocacy Council provides homeless prevention services to low income residents of Monterey County. Services includes emergency rental assistance, security deposit guarantees, tenant education, and financial literacy education.
Bilingual
134 East Rossi Street
Salinas, CA 93901
831.424.9186
SANTA CRUZ
Pajaro Valley Shelter Services offers a diversity of housing solutions: Emergency Shelter, 1 and 2 Year Transitional Housing, and Long-Term Housing. These programs provide safety, structure, emotional stability, budgeting skills, saving opportunities, and tools to live a healthy life.
Hours, During COVID-19: Closed
Bilingual
115 Brennan Street
Watsonville, CA 95076
831.728.5649
The mission of the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz is to promote access to quality affordable housing, utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life, and support inclusive, healthy and sustainable communities free from discrimination.
Bilingual
Hours:
Office: Monday through Thursday, 8am to 5pm
Call Center: Monday through Thursday, 8am to 4:30pm and Friday 8am to 12pm
2160 41st Avenue
Capitola, CA 95010
831.454-9455
SAN BENITO
Programs of The Salvation Army, include: a pantry, thrift store, and financial aid. Limited amounts of funds for back rent and electricity bills. The Salvation Army is focused on homeless prevention and feeding the hungry.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm
910 Buena Vista Road
Hollister, CA 95023
831.636.9832
The mission of the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County (serving the cities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista) is to promote access to quality affordable housing, utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life, and support inclusive, healthy and sustainable communities free from discrimination.
Location: TBA
Moving to a new location
831.637.0487
S. SANTA CLARA
Catholic Charities provides support for families and individuals facing housing instability or homelessness
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Friday 10am to 3pm
2625 Zanker Road, Suite 201
San Jose CA 95134
408.468.0100
The Salvation Army program provides homes for the homeless.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm
Closed for lunch from 11:30am to 1pm
Corps Community Center
200 W. 5th Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
408.848.5373
The Housing Advocacy Council provides homeless prevention services to low income residents of Monterey County. Services includes emergency rental assistance, security deposit guarantees, tenant education, and financial literacy education.
Bilingual
1590 Pacheco Pass Hwy.
Gilroy, CA 95020
408.848.6458
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
MONTEREY
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is a nonprofit legal service program created to help California’s low-income individuals and communities. CRLA serves a wide array of clients, while maintaining specialized programs that focus on services for farmworker populations. CRLA clients include individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, school children, lesbian/gay/bisexual and transgender populations, seniors and individuals with limited English proficiency.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm
During COVID-19: Please call. No office visits
3 Williams Road
Salinas, CA 93905
831.757.5221
SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz County Immigration Project helps immigrants acquire legal status, reuniting immigrant families, and making U.S. citizenship more accessible to eligible immigrants.
Bilingual
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday:
9am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm
Wednesday:
9am to 12pm and 1pm to 7pm
Friday:
9am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm
406 Main Street, Suite 217
Watsonville, CA 95076
831.724.5667
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. assists low income residents of Santa Cruz County with civil legal needs such as: landlord/tenant matters; issues involving fair housing; wage and hour claims; public education issues; and public benefit denials and overpayments (Social Security, TANF, MediCal, MediCruz, In Home Support Services, etc.).
Bilingual
Phone Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Office is not open during COVID-19
21 Carr Street
Watsonville, CA 95076
831.724.2253
Catholic Charities provides assistance and guidance for those who struggle in achieving lawful permanent residency and those who wish to become citizens of our nation. The Legal Immigration and Citizenship Program staff is a significant resource in our communities known for their experience and expertise in the processes of becoming legal residents and/or citizens.
Bilingual
656 Main Street
Watsonville CA 95076
831.722.2675
SAN BENITO
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) advocates to increase access to high-quality, no-cost legal services; ensure the equitable and fair distribution of resources in rural communities; and protects the rights of low-income individuals to seek justice under the law.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday ONLY
310 4th Street
Hollister, CA
831.724.2253
The Self Help Center helps people who need legal information but do not have lawyers. The Center can give you information, court forms, and help you understand your legal options. The Center cannot represent you, and in most cases you will be required to fill out your own court forms with guidance from the Self Help Center.
Bilingual
Questions:
PHONE: Mondays 831.636.4057
EMAIL: selfhelp.information@santacruz.org
Emails are checked and returned once a week
Family Law: 831.636.4057
Small Claims: 831.786.7370
Phone Consultation — Tuesday 1:30pm to 4pm
Call anytime: 831.636.4057
Leave a message, return call within 7 days.
450 4th Street
Holister, CA 95023
S. SANTA CLARA
The Self-Help Center can refer you to the resources you need for your court case, can give you information, provide legal forms (including form samples and instructions), refer you to other court resources or a private agency, or recommend you talk to a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer, The Self-Help Center can tell you about free and low-cost legal resources.
Bilingual
English, Spanish, and other languages available upon request
Hot Tip:
Arrive early and get in line before SHC opens. Clients are seen on a first-come-first-served basis and spots do run out soon after opening. Plan on staying for several hours.
Hours:
Monday through Thursday, 8:30am to 3pm
Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm
Family Justice Center Courthouse
201 North First Street
San Jose, CA
408.882.2100 (option 2, then 6)
The ProBono Project helps navigate Family Law related cases free of charge for low income families. They provide services to Santa Clara County community members who have cases in Santa Clara County in domestic violence, custody/visitation, and parentage actions. Services can include advice, referral to other resources, preparation of documents, help with filing, coaching on self representation, negotiation and settlement, limited scope representation, and full legal representation.
Bilingual
25 North 14th Street, Suite 506
San Jose, CA 95112
408.998.5298
SIREN Provides consultations for legal services in the following areas: Citizenship, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals, Green Card Renewal, Citizenship Certificate, Family-based petitions, Adjustment of Status, U-visa, FBI and FOIA requests, Refugee and Asylum assistance, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Deportation Defense and Legal Advocacy.
Bilingual
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm
1415 Koll Circle #108
San Jose, CA 95112
408.453.3003
English