Domestic Violence

Resources for Leaving Domestic Violence Situation

Domestic Violence

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

Financial Assistance

Cash Assistance

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

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

Transportation Assistance

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

Immigration Assistance

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

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
Hiroko Nishimura
AWS Community Hero. Special Education teacher turned IT Engineer turned Technical Writer. Author "AWS for Non-Engineers" (Manning Publications). Technical Instructor "Introduction to AWS for Non-Engineers" (LinkedIn Learning).

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