For neighbors in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville
Saw someone sleeping outside? Here's how you can help today.
Maybe it was on your walk to work this morning, and you haven't stopped thinking about it. You don't need to be an expert. This guide shows you who to call, where they can find a bed tonight, and where they can get a warm meal. It's written by the team that runs shelters and street outreach every night.
If you're with them right now
They're unresponsive, hurt or in danger
Emergency help | Call 911They're outside in Cambridge or Somerville
First Step Street Outreach, nightly 2 pm to midnight | 617-592-6895They’re somewhere else in Massachusetts
Free help line for shelter and services | Dial 2-1-1
Free printable guide
The Neighbor's Guide to helping someone without a home
Everything on this page, in one PDF — keep it on your phone or print it.
Who to call, and what to say
Shelters, meals and showers by day
A pocket card to hand to someone
We'll send your guide plus a few emails with ways to help. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy Practices.
How to help in five minutes
A kind word and the right phone number can change someone's night. Here's what to do, in order.
(1) Check for danger first
If they're unresponsive, hurt, or at risk in extreme cold or heat, call 911. In Cambridge, 911 can also send the CARE Team, clinicians trained to help with mental health needs (weekdays).
(2) Say hello and ask
Introduce yourself and ask what they need. If they say no, that's okay. Respect it, and let them know help is there if they change their mind.
"Hi, I'm Sam. Are you doing okay? Is there anything you need today?"
(3) Call street outreach
Cambridge and Somerville: First Step Street Outreach, 617-592-6895, nightly 2 pm to midnight. The team brings supplies, connects people to services and can sometimes give a ride to shelter. Boston: call 617-534-4440 for shelter information.
(4) Share one place to go
Tonight, the Boston Night Center takes adults and couples with no sobriety requirement. For a meal, check today's free meals below.
(5) Keep a card in your pocket
The free guide includes a fold-up card with shelter and outreach numbers you can hand to the next person you meet.
Where they can go
Tap who you saw to see the shelters, day centers and phone lines that fit. Seasonal places show whether they're open right now. Hours and rules change, so it's always worth a call first.
Where they can get a free meal
Free community meals in Cambridge, by day. We've opened today's list for you.
Be ready the next time you see someone.
Most people who want to help just don't know what to do in the moment. The Neighbor's Guide fits on your phone and in your pocket, so you'll know exactly who to call and where to point someone.
We'll send your guide plus a few emails with ways to help. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy practices.
Know someone who's about to lose their home?
Helping before someone ends up outside is often easier than finding shelter after. Share these free resources.
Behind on rent or facing eviction
RAFT offers short-term emergency funding for eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities and other housing emergencies.
Running low on food or money
The Department of Transitional Assistance handles cash benefits and SNAP food assistance.
Living or working in Cambridge
The Multi-Service Center helps people who are homeless or facing eviction, with walk-ins and appointments.
Struggling with mental health
The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line connects people to support, crisis services and treatment, 24/7.
Not sure what they qualify for
Mass 211's housing resources line walks people through programs in their area.
Struggling with substance use
The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline connects people to harm reduction, treatment and recovery services, 24/7.
We have a 50-year history of not giving up on anyone.
Bay Cove Human Services believes that when people need help, they should be able to get it. Our teams run shelters, street outreach and housing programs across Metro Boston, and we meet people where they're at, because saving a life today makes recovery possible tomorrow. When you pick up the phone for someone, there's a good chance it's our team that answers.
25,000+
Individuals served each year
170+
program sites in Metro Boston and southeastern MA
5
Programs on this page are run by Bay Cove
Worth. There are no "throwaway people."
Potential. Activate hope, inspire action.
Respect. We serve everyone with dignity.
Persistence. We don't give up on anyone.
Questions neighbors ask us
Straight answers to what people search for most when they want to help someone. Still unsure? Dial 2-1-1.
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If they seem unresponsive, hurt or at risk in extreme weather, call 911. Otherwise, say hello and ask if they need anything. In Cambridge or Somerville, call First Step Street Outreach at 617-592-6895 (nightly, 2 pm to midnight). In Boston, call 617-534-4440 for shelter information. Anywhere in Massachusetts, you can dial 2-1-1.
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Call First Step Street Outreach at 617-592-6895. The team works nightly from 2 pm to midnight in Cambridge and Somerville, hands out supplies, connects people to services and can sometimes give a ride to shelter. For an emergency, call 911, which in Cambridge can also send the CARE Team of mental health clinicians on weekdays.
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The CASPAR Emergency Services Center at 240 Albany St in Cambridge is open 24 hours with no sobriety requirement (617-661-0600). The Boston Night Center at 31 Bowker St is open nightly from 8:30 pm to 6:30 am and does not require sobriety (857-296-0322). Some other shelters, including the Salvation Army, St. Patrick's and the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, do require sobriety.
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Yes, at the Boston Night Center. There are no beds, so couples can stay together through the night. Many other shelters serve only men or only women.
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The Salvation Army at 402 Mass Ave serves lunch every day from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, and the University Lutheran Church street team brings warm meals to Central and Harvard Square every night from 8 to 9 pm. Other community meals run on specific days, and the schedule on this page opens to today automatically.
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CASPAR at 240 Albany St offers showers every day from 9 am to 2 pm. University Lutheran Church at 66 Winthrop St has showers on weekdays from 9 am to 3:30 pm, and the Salvation Army at 402 Mass Ave has showers on weekdays from 10 to 11 am and 1 to 2 pm.
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From December 1 to April 30, the Cambridge Winter Warming Center (entrance at 437 Green St) is open 7 pm to 7 am, and the Somerville Overnight Warming Center (42 Prescott St) is open 5 pm to 7:30 am. Both are first come, first served. If someone is at risk in the cold, call 911.
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Families with children under 21, and pregnant people, can apply for the state's Emergency Assistance family shelter program. Call (866) 584-0653, weekdays 8 am to 5 pm, or apply online through the Housing Help Hub. In Cambridge, the Multi-Service Center (617-349-6340) can also help.
No one should spend a night outside because nobody knew who to call.
Now you do. Save the guide, share this page with a neighbor, and keep a card in your pocket. You might be the reason someone finds a warm bed tonight.
Want to do more? Volunteer with Cookin' With CASPAR or learn about our housing and homeless services.