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Homelessness is often a by-product of other life variables, like citizenship status, release from incarceration or lack of affordable child care. Using local resources to balance out your circumstances can assist with providing a solid foundation to rebuild your life on.
Below are some resources that you may benefit from. Click on applicable tabs to learn more.
Inmate Reentry
If you have previously been incarcerated or are currently incarcerated, there are resources available to help you prepare for life outside of prison. Re-entry can be difficult but these resources can help you achieve a sense of normalcy and stability. Employment, in particular, is an important step towards achieving these goals.
Find assistance in life skills, mental health, and employment below.
116 E San Luis St, Salinas
(831) 422-9171 *Call for a referral, orientation, and intake interview
https://www.tpocc.org/monterey-county/
- Food and shelter
- Family reunification, PREA Support Center, Victim awareness classes, and job placement
- Counseling services
Adult Employment Program
- An employment-based service for currently incarcerated persons or ex-offenders
- Pre-vocational services, on-the-job training (funded), job placement, and follow-up services.
- Counseling services
- Vocational assessment
Silver Star Youth Employment Program
247 Pajaro St #2, Salinas
(831) 256-7110
*Ages 14.5 – 21. Probation provides eligibility screening.
- Occupational Assessment
- Life skills classes
- Skills Training and Unsubsidized Employment placements
Salinas Parole Unit – 320 Airport Blvd. Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 422-2043
https://www.unitedwaymcca.org/reentry/
- Meetings are held on the 2ndTuesday of Every Odd Month at 1:00 p.m. located at the Salinas Valley Community Church, 368 San Juan Grade Road, Salinas, CA 93906. (Meetings Calendar)
- Connect with service providers and social services agencies that will assist you with needs in the areas of substance abuse disorder, employment, education, job training, residential/housing, and an array of other multi-services.(Monterey/San Benito County P.A.C.T. Provider List)
Immigration and Citizenship Services
Are you trying to become a citizen of the United States? Do you need to renew your green card? Are you an immigrant that is facing criminal charges? The following places can help you navigate complex immigrant legal systems at an affordable cost or no cost at all, depending on your financial situation.
Legal services at the centers below are provided by knowledgeable lawyers and support staff that range from assistance in achieving citizenship to deportation defense, to help applying for DACA.
Monterey: 922 Hilby Avenue, Suite C, Seaside (831)-393-3110
Watsonville: 656 Main Street (831)-722-2675 (Serving San Benito County)
Greenfield: 27 S. El Camino Real, Greenfield (831)-525-6546
Hollister: 680 College St, Hollister (831)-722-2675
Salinas: (831)-422-0602
- Free services including case analysis, representation in citizenship interviews, professional case counseling, citizenship classes, and more.
- Determination of eligibility for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Low Income Child Care
If you have young children and are working or are in school, you could be eligible for subsidized or free childcare. Many places have waiting lists so be sure to call ahead to see if there is any availability. Additionally, even if the centers themselves are full they may be able to refer you somewhere else.
11 Quail Run Circle Suite 101, Salinas
831-424-6939
http://www.maof.org
- Apply for subsidized childcare/pre-school at one of the MAOF centers or in the home of a licensed provider
- Mothers must be low-income and working, in school, or in training.
Several locations in Seaside and Salinas
831-393-2246
https://www.earlydevelopmentservices.com
- Provides childcare services from as young as 6 weeks to entry Kindergarten, depending on the program
- Can be subsidized through CalWorks or MOAF.
Various Locations
Referral Number: 831-637-9205. Contact to find out if you are eligible for subsidized childcare.
https://www.gokids.org
- One site is located is in a migrant housing facility to serve agricultural families
- All child care center programs offer health and nutrition education, parent engagement, social service referrals, computer learning, and school readiness activities.
980 Fremont St, Monterey
831-646-4066
https://www.mpc.edu/student-services/support-resources/child-development-center-cdc/
- The child must have immunizations and be between the ages of 3-5
- Contact the number above to determine if you are eligible for subsidized childcare
411 Central Ave, Salinas
831-755-6700
https://www.hartnell.edu/cdc/index.html
- Provides free or subsidized childcare. Check here to see if you qualify for free preschool.
- Includes a science lab, “construction” zone, music and dance station, and much more.
901 Blanco Circle, Salinas 831-755-0352
1011 Line Street, Hollister 408-573-4045
https://www.montereycoe.org/programs-services/early-learning/
- Free childcare to eligible families
- Children 0-5 years old and children with disabilities
Transportation Services
If you need to get from Point A to Point B and don’t have your own car, there are several transportation options, including the MST.
If you are a veteran, elderly, or disabled and rely on public transportation, there are many travel options for you ranging from discounts to taxi vouchers for hard-to-reach destinations.
201 Pearl Street, Monterey
280 Reservation Road, Marina
110 Salinas Street, Salinas
888-678-2871
https://mst.org
Discount fare for:
- 18 years and under
- 65 years and older
- Individuals with disabilities
- Medicare Cardholders
- Veterans, Veteran’s spouse/caregiver
- MST RIDES Paratransit Eligibility cardholders
Veterans
Contact one of the following organizations to receive a free or discounted bus pass:
330 Tres Pinos Road Suite C7, Hollister
831-636-4161
http://www.sanbenitocountyexpress.org
Discount fare for:
- 18 years and under
- 65 years and older
- Individuals with disabilities
Employment
Employment is key to stability. Need help securing or maintaining a job? There is something out there for everyone. Many employment services are available in Monterey and San Benito County to help you develop your skillset and find the right type of employment for you.
Services may range from help searching for available jobs to skills training to practice interviews. Some programs also provide supportive services such as childcare and transportation. Participating in these services does not necessarily guarantee employment, but can be extremely helpful towards finding and maintaining employment.
First, sign-up to receive the weekly regional job announcements from CHSP by clicking here.
1760 Fremont Blvd # D2, Seaside – 831-899-8250
730 La Guardia St, Salinas – 831-755-4452
200 Broadway St # 62, King City – 831-386-6801
http://mcdss.co.monterey.ca.us/careers/
- Vocational Assessment (a computer-based assessment that will allow you to identify your strengths and help to create a plan toward employment.)
- Job search and training
- Support services such as Childcare, transportation, financial assistance with work-related education, and training experiences such as uniforms, licenses, and fees, etc.
1111 San Felipe Road, Suite 107, Hollister
831-637-5627
https://sbcjobs.org/programs-services/
- Vocational Assessment
- Job search, training, and placement assistance
- Interview and resume assistance
- Referrals to childcare providers
- Resources for seniors
Salinas 831-287-2350
Monterey 831-883-3300
Watsonville 831-763-8933
https://www.ccgoodwill.org/work/
- Job training
- Job fairs
- Work on your resume, cover letter, and interview
- Computers, free Wi-Fi, printers, fax machines, and phones are available
Senior Services
Are you struggling to enroll in Medicare? Are you unable to cook for yourself? Do you want to make new friends?
If you are over the age of 60, there are resources available for free or at a discount to assist with nutrition, transportation, legal services, and social activities. The following organizations seek to provide dignified senior services in our area.
247 Main Street, Salinas 831-758-4011
280 Dickman Avenue, Monterey 831-646-1458
https://allianceonaging.org
- Senior peer counseling
- Senior luncheons
- Assistance with benefits (CalFresh, Medi-care, discount phones, etc)
- Health insurance and tax counseling
- Ombudsman to protect long-term care residents from abuse
915 Hilby Avenue Suite 2, Seaside 831-442-7700
Salinas 831-442-7700
http://www.legalservicesforseniors.org
- Free legal assistance for Monterey County residents over the age of 60.
- Legal advocacy in many categories including elder abuse, landlord/tenant relations, insurance, estate planning, social security, small claims, guardianships, etc.
700 Jewell Avenue, Pacific Grove 831-375-4454
40 Clark Street, Suite C, Salinas 831-758-6325
https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/signup/aboutmealsonwheels
- Monterey Peninsula location delivers meals 5 days a week. Donations are appreciated but not required.
- Monterey and Salinas locations can provide meals for the weekend, delivered on Friday.
- Salinas’s location delivers frozen meals once or twice a week, including additional tasty items. Clients are asked for a donation.
700 Jewell Avenue, Pacific Grove
831-375-4454
https://www.mowmp.org/core-programs/sally-griffin-active-living-center/
- Legal services, tax assistance, computers
- Technology training, exercise (Palates, tai chi, etc.), and enrichment classes
- Hot lunch and Wednesday produce market
951D Blanco Circle, Salinas
831-233-3447
https://www.itnmontereycounty.org
- Provides 24/7 transportation to seniors in Monterey County from Carmel valley to Castroville to Salinas
- Rides in private automobiles with drivers who can provide door-to-door assistance
- Pay through an account instead of cash
- Discounted rideshares
- To apply for a membership online, click here http://www.itnmontereycounty.org/member-app