We have been on the phone and googling nonstop for a week, trying to find resources, organizations, and programs that can help a mother running away from domestic violence with babies. Unfortunately, we’ve come to find that most programs are too underfunded and in too high of a demand to take our friend in.

Despite that, there are some organizations we have received valuable information/resources from, and still others we are hoping will pan out. This is a live document! This blog post will be updated as we find more resources.

This is a bilingual blog post. Resources in Japanese will follow. DVから逃げているお母さん、女性を支援してる団体やプログラムを纏めています。特に日本語で対応してくれる団体にとても助けられたので、記事の後半に日本語で対応してくれる団体などを入れてます。

Most of the resources are for Maryland residents. You may be able to find similar programs in your own state as well!

*This is not legal advice. Just a collection of resources we’ve collected and advice we’ve received.*

Things to Consider before Escaping

• Have important documents (Social Security Card, Birth Certificates, Passports, IDs), and if possible, have other documentations like Lease, Tax Returns, proof of employment, etc.
• Replace Birth Certificates: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm
  • Contact the Vital Records office in your state or territory
• Replace Social Security Card: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/replacement-card.html

Financial Assistance

Cash Assistance

• Temporary Cash Assistance (TAP) Maryland Department of Human Services: https://dhs.maryland.gov/weathering-tough-times/temporary-cash-assistance/
  • Maryland’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Program
  • Must apply for child support first
  • Apply online or at Local Department of Social Services (1-800-332-6347)
• The Anchor Fund:https://www.anchorfund.org/request-a-donation
  • Helps families in crisis in DC area with deposits for apartments
  • The payments must be made to 3rd parties (ie: apartment complex)
• Hardship Relief Program:https://www.jfcufoundation.org/HardshipRelief
  • Financial hardship grants: $250~3000
  • Request a foundation grant application: info@jfcufoundation.org or 703.480.5300 (ext: 3158)

Child Care Assistance

• Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Department of Human Services:https://dhs.maryland.gov/child-care-scholarship-ccs/
  • Provides financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families in Maryland
  • Within income guideline or recipient of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Pursuing child support if both parents don’t live in the same household
  • Maryland resident working/employed, in an approved training program, or attending school
• ChildCare.gov:https://childcare.gov/state-resources-home
  • Local resources on child care, health and social services, financial assistance, support for children with special needs, etc. by state

Housing Assistance

• Bridge of Hope:https://bridgeofhopeinc.org/locations/
  • Rental assistance and housing assistance for at-risk families
• A Wider Circle:https://awidercircle.org/how-we-help/
  • Free furniture and workforce development services for people in need

Household Expenses Assistance

• Emergency Broadband Benefit FCC:https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit
  • Discount up to $50/month towards boardband services
  • One-time discount up to $100 to purchase a laptop, computer, or tablet
  • For those with income at or below 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines or participating in certain assistance programs
• Lifeline Support FCC:https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers
  • Discount (up to $9.25/mo) on qualifying monthly telephone service, broadband internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages
• Assurance Wireless:https://www.assurancewireless.com/
  • Free smartphone, unlimited data/texts/minutes, 10GB hotspot data
  • May qualify based on income, enrollment in public assistance programs (Medicaid, SNAP)
• Dollar Energy Fund:https://www.dollarenergy.org/need-help/
  • Support with gas, electric, and water in 14 states for limited-income households
• Fuel Fund of Maryland: https://fuelfundmaryland.org/apply
  • BGE energy cost assistance for low-income households

Food Assistance

• SNAP State Directory: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory
  • Helps you identify SNAP programs running in your state, as well as how to apply and where to contact
  • Great reference for program names specific to your state
• Maryland SNAP Outreach: https://mdfoodbank.org/hunger-in-maryland/approach/programs/snap-outreach/
  • Registration assistance service offered by the Maryland Food Bank team to help sign households up with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
  • Program Coordinator: snapteam@mdfoodbank.org / (410) 737-8282
• Maryland Food Bank: https://mdfoodbank.org/find-food/
  • Find food banks in Maryland near your place of residence via Zip Code
  • (410) 737-8282
• Capital Area Food Bank:https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/find-food-assistance/
  • Search food banks serving DC area (DC, Virginia, Maryland) via Zip Code
  • For Montgomery County and PG County residents
  • Hunger Hotline: (202) 644-9807
• Salvation Army of Maryland:https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/salvation_army_maryland_financ.html
  • 443-656-3376

Transportation Assistance

• Vehicles for Change: https://www.vehiclesforchange.org/eligibility/
  • Provides donated cars for people on road to self-sufficiency but struggling with transportation
  • For Maryland or Virginia residents with driver’s license in that state
  • Have verifiable job offer or be working at least 30 hours/week
• Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) Maryland Department of Human Services: https://dhs.maryland.gov/weathering-tough-times/transportation-assistance-program-tap/
  • Provides reliable used cars to serve low-income families for 2 years
  • Inquire through local department of social services’ TAP coordinator or Vehicles for Change

Multiple Services

• Community Action Council of Howard County: https://cac-hc.org/get-help/
  • Food assistance: through food bank
  • Early childhood education: Head Start/pre-kindergarten programming for 3~5 years old
  • Energy assistance: electric bills
  • Housing assistance: financial assistance to prevent eviction
  • Weatherization assistance: energy efficiency programs to reduce energy consumption
• JustLiving Advocacy:https://www.justlivingadvocacy.org/services
  • Childcare subsidy, assistance, search
  • Employment support for single mothers

Other Resources

Medical Assistance

• Maryland Health Connections:https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/
  • Medical assistance for families, children and pregnant women

Immigration Assistance

• Luminus:https://www.beluminus.org/
  • Affordable and pro bono immigration legal services

Services

• USPS Change of Address: https://www.usa.gov/post-office
  • Change your address with USPS for $1.10
  • Requires a valid email address and a credit or debit card (with registered address that matches your new address)
  • You can do it online or in person in the local post office (PS Form 3575)
• Discounted Amazon Prime for EBT and select government assistance recipients:https://amzn.to/3rhVUHK
  • 50% off Amazon Prime subscription for those who have EBT cards (like SNAP, WIC, TANF)
  • Full list of eligible programs
  • Amazon accepts SNAP EBT
  • MUST use Amazon Gift Card for Credit Card to register (no Debit Card)
• Self Credit Builder:https://www.self.inc/
  • Credit building service for those with no or low credit score
  • Build up credit score by putting money into a CD every month

Legal Assistance

• The People’s Law Library of Maryland: https://www.peoples-law.org/
  • Legal clinic, law librarian, free legal advice
• Women’s Law Center of Maryland: http://www.wlcmd.org/
  • Direct legal representation, information and referral services, and legislative advocacy for women
  • Battered: What can I do? (PDF)
  • Legal rights in marriage and divorce (PDF)

Japanese / 日本語サポート

• DVRP Survivor Services Program: https://dvrp.org/survivor-services-program/
  • Free and confidential services in over 20 Asian/Pacific Islander languages
  • Confidential helpline: 202-833-2233, info@dvrp.org
  • Case management: resources with shelter, emergency transportation, interpretation, apply for public benefits, accompaniment to court, etc.
• WomanKind: https://www.iamwomankind.org/get-help-japanese/
  • 24/7 Domestic violence hotline in 18 Asian languages: 1-888-888-7702
• Japanese Americans’ Care Fund: https://www.jacarefund.org/what-we-do/
  • Helpline for people who need assistance: sodan@jacarefund.org
  • Daily assistance: transportation, meal delivery, grocery shopping, etc.
  • Every day issues: family, legal, etc.
  • Referrals to Japanese-speaking professionals: lawyers, physicians, translators, social workers, etc.
• Japanese-speaking lawyers/translators list:https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/lawyer_interpreter.html
  • 日本語対応出来る家庭方専門弁護士、弁護士、通訳者などのリスト
• Law Office of D.J.Jones PLLC: https://djjon.es/?page_id=68
  • 日本語で対応してくれるイミグレ・離婚弁護士
  • Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, New York