Real World NeedsEssential services directory
Directory
Search by service, place, or organization. Listings include contact details, the source, and the date RWN checked it. Page 4 of 34.
Services can change. Check the original source or contact the organization before you travel. RWN shows where information came from and when it was last reviewed.
A daytime support centre offering food, showers, laundry, clean clothing, computers, a safe space, and practical services.
Free essential support
Check before you go. Program hours and intake may change; review the official centre page before travel.
Southampton Street Shelter is listed by the City of Boston as a current provider of overnight shelter, meals, hygiene and referrals for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Free core homelessness services
Check before you go. Capacity, eligibility, schedules, and intake can change. Call the provider or review the City of Boston directory before travelling.
Woods Mullen Shelter is listed by the City of Boston as a current provider of overnight shelter, meals, hygiene and referrals for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Free core homelessness services
Check before you go. Capacity, eligibility, schedules, and intake can change. Call the provider or review the City of Boston directory before travelling.
Pine Street Inn Men's Inn is listed by the City of Boston as a current provider of overnight shelter, meals, housing and support referrals for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Free core homelessness services
Check before you go. Capacity, eligibility, schedules, and intake can change. Call the provider or review the City of Boston directory before travelling.
Pine Street Inn Yawkey House is listed by the City of Boston as a current provider of overnight shelter, meals, housing and support referrals for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Free core homelessness services
Check before you go. Capacity, eligibility, schedules, and intake can change. Call the provider or review the City of Boston directory before travelling.
Boston Night Center is listed by the City of Boston as a current provider of overnight indoor space, restrooms, referrals for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Free core homelessness services
Check before you go. Capacity, eligibility, schedules, and intake can change. Call the provider or review the City of Boston directory before travelling.
St. Francis House is listed by the City of Boston as a current provider of meals, daytime shelter, clothing, showers and toiletries for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Free core homelessness services
Check before you go. Capacity, eligibility, schedules, and intake can change. Call the provider or review the City of Boston directory before travelling.
Rosie's Place is listed by the City of Boston as a current provider of meals and food pantry, showers and laundry, day and overnight shelter, wellness and advocacy for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Free core homelessness services
Check before you go. Capacity, eligibility, schedules, and intake can change. Call the provider or review the City of Boston directory before travelling.
Women's Lunch Place is listed by the City of Boston as a current provider of meals, toiletries, showers and laundry, clothing for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Free core homelessness services
Check before you go. Capacity, eligibility, schedules, and intake can change. Call the provider or review the City of Boston directory before travelling.
Bridge Over Troubled Waters is listed by the City of Boston as a current provider of meals, showers and laundry, lockers, case management and shelter for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Free core homelessness services
Check before you go. Capacity, eligibility, schedules, and intake can change. Call the provider or review the City of Boston directory before travelling.
Day Engagement Center at Whittier is listed by the City of Boston as a current provider of daytime indoor space, meals and basic needs, health and service referrals for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Free core homelessness services
Check before you go. Capacity, eligibility, schedules, and intake can change. Call the provider or review the City of Boston directory before travelling.
Cardinal Medeiros Day Program is listed by the City of Boston as a current provider of day shelter, meals, practical support for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Free core homelessness services
Check before you go. Capacity, eligibility, schedules, and intake can change. Call the provider or review the City of Boston directory before travelling.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources. It serves anyone facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, or alcohol/drug use concerns.
Free to use and completely confidential.
Check before you go. Available 24/7/365. Offers service selection options including Veterans, Spanish-language, and Deaf/HoH access.
Berliner Kältehilfe provides emergency overnight accommodation, warm meals, and medical help for homeless people in Berlin during the cold season. The service aims to prevent people without shelter from freezing to death.
The service is free of charge for people who have no place of their own and cannot afford accommodation.
Check before you go. The cold relief season lasts from October to April. Emergency overnight stays are generally open every evening during this period.
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services activates its Community Service Centers and Senior Centers as warming centers during extreme cold weather. These locations provide safe refuge and relief for all residents when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or below.
The warming centers are available at no cost to residents.
Check before you go. Activated when temperatures are expected to be 32 degrees or below. Community Service Centers are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Senior Centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Citizens Advice provides free, confidential, and impartial advice to help people resolve their problems. The service is available to everyone and covers issues such as benefits, housing, debt, and employment.
The service is completely free of charge.
Check before you go. Services are available online, over the phone, and in person at local charities. Check local branches for specific opening hours.
Covenant House provides safe harbor and supportive services to young people ages 18 to 24 who are facing homelessness, disconnection, and exploitation. The network offers emergency overnight shelters, meals, showers, and individualized case plans to help youth achieve stability.
All services and programs are available at no cost.
Check before you go. Shelters are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No referral is needed. Services are for young people ages 18 to 24 facing homelessness, disconnection, and exploitation.
Cradles to Crayons provides essential items like clothing, shoes, and school supplies to children in need. The program operates through a network of Service Partners who distribute the items directly to families.
The items provided by Cradles to Crayons are free of charge.
Check before you go. Families must receive services from a Cradles to Crayons Service Partner or qualify for their services to obtain items.
Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive. Items are distributed through a collaborative network of diverse service partners.
Free of charge
Check before you go. Items are distributed through service partners rather than directly to individuals.
Doctors of the World UK provides a free advice line for people having problems signing up with an NHS family doctor or getting healthcare. The service offers support with GP registration, prescription costs, and understanding healthcare rights.
Free to use and call
Check before you go. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 12 midday. London-based clinic closed on 26th March 2025.
Dress for Success is a global network that empowers women to achieve economic mobility. It provides professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to women seeking employment.
Services are provided at no cost to the community.
Check before you go. Clients must obtain a referral to visit their local Dress for Success boutique. Services are provided through independent local affiliates.
Eau de Paris provides an interactive map of over 1,200 public drinking fountains and 1,500 partner establishments across Paris. The service allows anyone to find free, safe drinking water and refill their bottles to stay hydrated and reduce single-use plastic.
Free to use and fill bottles
Check before you go. Available to everyone in the city, including public fountains and partner establishments.
The Toilet Map is a comprehensive online directory of over 14,000 publicly-accessible toilets across the United Kingdom. It helps people find nearby facilities that can be used without needing to make a purchase.
The online map is completely free to use, and it specifically lists toilets that the public can access at no cost.
Check before you go. The map is available online 24/7. Individual toilet opening hours and accessibility features vary by location and are listed on the map.
Health811 is a free, secure, and confidential service for people in Ontario to receive health advice from a registered nurse or find health services. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via phone or online chat.
Free to call or access online
Check before you go. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Does not replace your other touch point with your health care provider. In a medical emergency call 911 immediately.
Healthdirect is a free, government-funded 24-hour health advice line for all Australians. It provides access to registered nurses who can offer health advice, assess symptoms, and direct callers to appropriate local care.
Free to call and free to use, though call charges may apply from mobiles
Check before you go. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call charges may apply from mobiles.
The Humane Society of Charlotte provides free dog and cat food to Mecklenburg County residents facing challenges feeding their pets. The program offers temporary support for up to six months to help keep pets in their homes.
The pet food assistance program provides dog and cat food at no cost to eligible residents.
Check before you go. Must live in Mecklenburg County, NC and own the pets. Standard assistance lasts up to 6 months. Appointments are required for pickup, and delivery options are available.
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) provides free food grains to India's poorest households. It serves Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) beneficiaries across the country.
The program provides food grains free of cost to eligible beneficiaries.
Check before you go. Available to identified Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) beneficiaries through Fair Price Shops.
Los Angeles County provides a network of cooling centers to help residents escape extreme heat. These facilities offer safe, air-conditioned spaces with bathrooms and drinking water.
Free to use and open to all community members
Check before you go. Cooling Centers are open to the public during the hours listed, have functioning air conditioning, bathrooms, and drinking water, and are ADA accessible.
LinkNYC provides free high-speed Wi-Fi, phone calls, and device charging through street kiosks across New York City. The service is available to anyone living in or visiting the city.
The service is completely free to use and comes at no cost to taxpayers.
Check before you go. Available 24/7 at kiosks across all five boroughs. No eligibility requirements or registration limits.
The Mayor of London and Thames Water have installed a network of over 100 drinking water fountains across the capital. The program provides free access to healthy tap water to reduce single-use plastic waste.
Free access to healthy tap water.
Check before you go. Fountains are located in busy and accessible areas across London, including stations, parks, and high streets. Subject to Thames Water programming and local authority commitments.
The Legal Services Corporation provides an online locator to help low-income Americans find free civil legal assistance in their area. It connects users with LSC-funded legal aid organizations across the United States.
The service is completely free of charge for eligible low-income individuals and families.
Check before you go. LSC-funded programs help people who live in households with annual incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.
The National Diaper Bank Network connects and supports community-based diaper banks across the United States. It helps struggling families access free diapers and other basic necessities through local member organizations.
The network connects families to community-based diaper banks that distribute free diapers.
Check before you go. The network connects users to local diaper banks. Users should call 2-1-1 or check the member directory to find local assistance and verify specific eligibility requirements.
The New York Public Library offers free computer access and Wi-Fi service at all of its 89 locations. It also provides daily classes teaching basic computer skills, job search techniques, and reading skills.
The New York Public Library provides computer access and Wi-Fi service at no cost.
Check before you go. Available at all 89 locations of the New York Public Library. Opening hours vary by branch.
Cool It! NYC provides a map of drinking fountains, spray showers, and outdoor pools across New York City. It helps residents find places to stay cool and hydrate during the summer.
The service is free of charge to the public.
Check before you go. In general, spray showers are turned on when the temperature reaches 80 degrees or higher. Drinking fountains are turned on each year.
New York City Public Schools provides free menstrual products to students in designated restrooms. The program serves students in public school buildings with grades 4 and above.
Menstrual products are available for free in public school buildings.
Check before you go. Available in designated restrooms in public school buildings with grades 4 and above.
The Coalition for the Homeless provides information and advocacy for accessing emergency shelter in New York City. It helps homeless individuals and families navigate the shelter system and secure their right to shelter.
The service is a right and provided at no cost to homeless individuals and families.
Check before you go. Intake shelters are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Crisis Intervention Hotline is available 9am-5pm on business days.
The Salvation Army's International Emergency Services (IES) provides critical relief, including food, water, and emergency shelter, to communities affected by disasters and conflict worldwide. The program supports local territories in disaster preparedness and response to meet immediate needs and build resilience.
The services are provided at no cost to individuals affected by disasters and conflict.
Check before you go. Services are deployed in response to disasters and conflicts globally, providing immediate relief and long-term recovery support.
Sharewear Clothing Scheme provides free, good quality clothing to people experiencing hardship in Nottingham. The service operates via a referral system, allowing clients to choose clothing for themselves and their families.
The service provides clothing free of charge to those referred.
Check before you go. Drop-in sessions are Wednesdays 10:00 - 15:30 only. A referral form from a support worker is required before visiting. Photo ID may be requested.
The Shower of Hope provides mobile showers, meals, and clothing to unhoused individuals across Los Angeles. The program operates at various locations throughout the week to restore dignity and respect.
The mobile shower services are provided for free.
Check before you go. Services are provided at various locations on specific days and times. Check the schedule for today's locations.
Smart Works provides free high-quality interview clothing and one-to-one coaching to unemployed women across the UK. The service aims to help women feel confident and succeed in their job interviews.
The interview dressing session and the clothing provided are completely free of charge for the client to keep.
Check before you go. Clients must be referred by Job Centres, mental health charities, women's refuges, homeless shelters, the prison service, care service, or youth organisations.
The Social Relief of Distress provides temporary assistance to individuals and families facing dire material needs who are unable to meet their most basic needs. It offers food parcels, vouchers, or cash to those experiencing emergencies, lacking income, or awaiting other grants.
The service is provided for free.
Check before you go. Temporary assistance usually for up to three months, which may be extended for another three months. Requires proof of dire material need or emergency.
WIC provides healthy foods, personalized nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other services. It serves women who are currently pregnant, recently pregnant, or breastfeeding, and babies and kids under 5.
The program provides everyday groceries and other services at no cost to you.
Check before you go. Available for women who are currently pregnant, recently pregnant, or breastfeeding, and babies and kids under 5. Eligibility conditions apply.
Sydney Water provides a map of permanent water refill stations across Greater Sydney. The service allows anyone to easily find locations to refill their water bottles with safe, clean drinking water.
The water refill stations provide high-quality drinking water for free.
Check before you go. Permanent water refill stations located across Greater Sydney. Users should bring their own refillable bottle.
The GOV.UK Free School Meals page provides a locator tool to help parents in England find their local authority's application process. It serves children whose parents receive qualifying benefits or who are in early primary school years.
The service provides free school meals at no cost to eligible children.
Check before you go. Eligibility depends on receiving qualifying benefits or being in reception, year 1, or year 2. Application is done through the local authority.
This scheme provides free period products to students in state-maintained schools and DfE-funded 16 to 19 education organisations in England. It aims to ensure that having periods is not a barrier to education.
The scheme provides period products free of charge to students.
Check before you go. Available to pupils and students in state-maintained schools and DfE-funded 16 to 19 education organisations in England.
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford nutritious food. This directory connects individuals to their local state agency to apply for benefits.
The program provides food benefits at no cost to eligible low-income households.
Check before you go. Eligibility is based on income and resources, and requirements vary by state. Applicants must contact their local SNAP office to apply.
The Warm Welcome Campaign is a network of over 6,000 community spaces across the UK providing free, warm, and welcoming environments. It aims to tackle poverty and isolation by offering places for people to connect, make friends, and stay warm.
The community spaces are completely free to access and use for everyone.
Check before you go. Opening hours and specific services vary by location. Users should check the local space details on the official map before visiting.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.
A Massachusetts WIC office providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for qualifying families.
Free to Massachusetts families who qualify
Check before you go. Published office hours are shown. Call before travel to confirm the schedule, appointment availability, and documents needed.