Below is a list of local and state programs that may be of use for those facing difficult situations. You can click on the name of each organization and be sent to that organization's website. Please note that by selecting these links you will be redirected from the T&E Care website. We have provided these links as a service to those seeking extra help.
T&E Care does not endorse the views expressed, or the facts presented, on these sites. Further, T&E Care does not endorse any commercial products that may be advertised or available on these sites.
Medical assistance
- ShopRite - The ShopRite Pharmacy will distribute at no cost certain antibiotics (penicillin, amoxycillin, cypro, etc.) and certain diabetic medications (pills). Many other prescriptions are available at $4 or $10 (depending on the prescription). To confirm availability contact your local ShopRite (West Chester and Norristown are closest).
- United Healthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF) provides grants to families to help pay for child health care services that are above and beyond what is covered by the normal insurance; child MUST be covered by parent's commercial insurance plan (not Medicaid or CHIP) to be eligible. Grants up to $5000 are awarded. Applications must be done on-line.
- Partnership for Prescription Assistance - helps qualifying families get certain prescription medicines at discount or free (1-888-477-2669)
- CHIP - Children's Health Insurance Plan - offers access to health insurance to all kids up to age 19, regardless of family income
- Gaudenzia - works with people affected by chemical dependency, mental illness, and related conditions
- The Clinic - a medical clinic in Phoenixville serving the uninsured and underinsured
- Chester Counseling Center - a counseling center in Phoenixville to serve those with substance abuse and mental health issues, serves the uninsured, 610-933-8880
- Daemion Counseling Center - provides short and long-term counseling for those who cannot afford traditional therapy fees
- Medicaid - provides medical insurance for those unable to buy their own coverage
- Community Volunteers in Medicine - provides medical and dental support to uninsured and underinsured in Chester County
- ARCH - Area Residents Caring and Helping - a resource for families in and around Tredyffrin and Easttown who need help with drug and alcohol abuse - especially with children
- Chester County CHADD chapter - (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder); information on local programs and support groups
- Catholic Social Services (West Chester), provides support to individuals or families; fees are adjusted for income, 610-344-7028
- Children's Dental Clinic - for children in TESD or Great Valley SD; by appointment only, 610-240-1213
- Chester County Community Dental Center, Coatesville, provides dental work on a sliding fee scale, 610-383-3888
- Great Guys, Wayne, a non-profit that helps families burdened by the cancer experience; nominate online for someone needing help; available only to those living in the Delaware Valley area.
- Cleaning for a Reason - a non-profit that tries to offer house cleaning support to those who have cancer
Educational assistance
- Financial Aid for college - link to explain how to apply for the Federal Student Aid, how you qualify, etc. (FAFSA info); the main FAFSA info is at www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
- PA Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) - explains about state grants available to kids; these grants do NOT need to be repaid, but you MUST also apply and be eligible for the FAFSA grant.
- Finaid.org - a great website to help you sort out all the different financial aid options available for college.
- College textbook online rentals or purchases-
- A GREAT source of free videos covering all sorts of educational topics to help give you tutoring assistance: http://www.khanacademy.org/; with help from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history.
- Center on Hearing and Deafness - provides info and services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals, West Chester, 610-918-6250
- ESF Dream Camp (Bryn Mawr), after-school and summer camp programs to economically disadvantaged kids; must be nominated by teachers, 610-581-7100
- Questbridge - links bright, motivated low-income students with educational and scholarship opportunities at some of the nation's best colleges.
- Volunteer English Program - based in West Chester - free one-to-one tutoring in English; any level skills accepted; meet at time convenient for both tutor and person needing help; often a waiting list so sign up early! Go online or call 610-918-8222.
- Learn-a-test - if you have a Chester County Library Card (they are free) you can have access to all sorts of free programs that can help you prepare for the GEDs, the SATs, the ACTs, the firefighter's exams, etc. etc. This is a great free resource to help you reach your dreams!
Food assistance
(Please note that for many of these food banks in Chester County you must register and once you have registered for one, you can not go to others.)
- WIC (Women, Infants, & Children) - PA Dept of Health - program that offers subsidies for food for pregnant moms, babies, and children up to age 5; income requirements; call 1-800-WIC-WINS.
- County Assistance Office - helps families needing food stamps and other forms of assistance
- Food Stamp information - includes on-line application, 1-800-692-7462
- National School Lunch Program - applications for free/reduced lunch for low-income families
- Church of the Good Samaritan (Paoli), food closet, 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 610-644-4040
- Deacon's Pantry (Malvern), food pantry, 2nd and 4th Wednesday and Saturday, 610-648-0707
- Wayne United Methodist Church (South Wayne Ave in Radnor) - food pantry, available as needed, call 610-688-5650 for details
- Paoli Presbyterian Church Food Closet (Paoli), call for information 610-644-8250
- Trinity Presbyterian Church Caring Cupboard (Berwyn), must call for appointment, 610-644-0932
- Kennett Food Cupboard - located in Kennett Square, run by the Chester County Dept of Community Development, 610-344-6900.
- Main Line Meals on Wheels - provides 2 meals/day for elderly, homebound, and handicapped persons in our local communities.
- Phoenixville Area Community Services, 610-933-1105, 257 Church St, Phoenixville, call for appointment (for Phoenixville residents only); food and other forms of assistance are given here
- Food Pantry list in Chester County
Children and childcare assistance
- YMCA - Y Cares program - helps families who need assistance for children to attend programs at the Y in Berwyn
- Friend Fitness - a mentoring program offered at the UMLY for students in 6th-12th grades. This is a fitness-based mentoring program - to help youth develop work ethic, mental toughness and goal-setting skills. Students must apply to be in this program.
- Maternity Care Coalition - works with moms with all sorts of childcare issues, located in Norristown
- Child Care Works - provides subsidies to working parents with annual income 200% or less than poverty level; helps with childcare payments) - often waiting list, 800-870-2323
- Mom's House in Phoenixville - provides daycare for kids whose moms are in school
- Possible websites for free diapers and other baby items - go to http://freebies.about.com/od/babyfreebies/tp/free-diapers.htm
- Paoli Presbyterian Church - Freebies for Babies Shop - in the Frazer Village Shopping Center (corner of Rt 30/352); open Saturdays 10-12; free toys, strollers, books, games, kids and maternity clothes; call Susan Mayes 610-251-9742 with questions.
- The Second Mile - helps young people achieve their potential as individuals and community members
Assistance with utilities
- PECO assistance programs - includes MEAF (Matching Energy Assistance Fund), CAP Rate (lower rate for low-income families), LIHEAP, and other programs. Many can be reached at 1-800-774-7040.
- LIHEAP - low income home energy assistance program - helps with utility bills, 1-800-344-3574
- Stay Warm PA initiative - utility help for PA residents offered through the PA Public Utility Commission
- Safelink - free cell phones for families receiving govt support, 42 minutes/mo free, call 800-977-3768 for info
- Energysaver.gov - gives lots of tips on how to save on your energy bills
- Assurance - free cell phones for families receiving govt support, 250 minutes/mo free, call 1-800-375-5017
Assistance getting jobs
- Philadelphia Inquirer Marketplace for jobs - a great resource for possible jobs in the Philadelphia area
- Baker Industries - a rehab program helping people with disabilites, recovering substance abusers, individuals on parole, or homeless persons to learn a job skill
Legal and financial assistance
General assistance
- Chester County Assistance Office - assistance for food stamps, child care, medical assistance etc; 610-466-1000 or 888-814-4698 (faxes should be sent to 610-466-1055 or 610-466-1083)
- COMPASS - help getting benefits for health and human services in PA; helps with childcare, medical assistance, food stamps, etc.
- The Salvation Army for Chester Co residents - 610-696-8746
- Women's Resource Center - provides information and referrals for women who are in crisis or transition, located in Wayne
- PA Department of Public Welfare - offers services for low-income Pennsylvanians
- FEMA - helps families in emergency situations
- Chester County Dept of Social Services - offers services for residents of Chester County
- American Red Cross - general help for disaster relief
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) - provides short-term assistance to low-income families and individuals; participants must agree to, sign, and follow through on an Agreement of Mutual Responsibility outlining a plan to find permanent employment.
- Domestic Violence Center, 610-431-1430 (West Chester)
Housing assistance
Assistance for the elderly
Computer assistance
- Team Children - in Audubon - they take (working) used computers, refurbish them, and then sell them at low cost to families in the Philadelphia area.
Clothing, household items or furniture assistance
- Impact Thrift Stores, Inc - takes donations of good condition merchandise (including clothing, furniture, books, appliances, etc.) and sells it at a very reasonable price - located in Norristown.
- First Presbyterian Church (West Chester), 610-696-0554, free clothing for newborns through age 14.
- Catholic Social Services (West Chester), free clothing for young children
- Society of St. Vincent dePaul of Philadelphia - supports needy in Philadelphia and surrounding counties.
- Goodwill in Phoenixville - sells clothing and furniture at low prices, 610-917-0095
- Goodwill in West Chester - sells clothing (30% discount if letter from referral agency), 610-594-6949
- Salvation Army Thrift Shop (West Chester), 610-692-0380, sells clothing and furniture
- Wings for Success (Frazer) - clothing for women going on job interviews; requires referral by supporting agency
- Birthright - maternity and baby clothes up to 9 months, by appointment, Pottstown (610-327-2626) or West Chester (610-436-0773)
- Genesis - maternity and baby clothes, by appointment, Pottstown, 610-970-8088
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