Find Community Resources, free, local and online community resources. Find utility assistance, food pantry, rent assistance, shelters, legal assistance, education, free learning and more.
Utility Assistance
Texas Utility Help: Utility Assistance 855-566-2057 (state wide)
Ministerial Alliance (First Baptist Church): Utility Assistance 512-237-2176 (Smithville, Texas)
Advocacy Outreach: Utility Assistance 512-281-4180
Combined Community Action (CCA): Utility Assistance 800-688-9065 (application available at Smithville City Hall, Smithville, TX)
Society of St. Vincent DePaul: 512-728-2614 (leave a message)
Shelters
Family Crisis Center: 24/7 HOTLINE 512-303-7755 (serves Bastrop, Fayette and Lee County)
Comprehensive services for individuals affected by family violence, child abuse, refuge for individuals facing intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking.
Phone: 512-321-7760
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 736, Bastrop, TX, 78602
Satellite offices in La Grange, Giddings, and Columbus are open by appointment. Please call to schedule.
24/7 Hotline: 512-303-7755 or 888-311-7755
Magdalene House ATX: 737-587-0174 | Austin, TX | [email protected]
A survivor-led community for adult women who have survived sex trafficking.
Hope Alliance: 800-460-7233 | Round Rock, TX | [email protected]
Provides crisis intervention, shelter, counseling, support groups, legal advocacy, court accompaniment, basic needs to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
SAFE/SAFE Alliance: 512-267-7233 | www.safeaustin.org | [email protected]
SAFE provides services to survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking and sexual assault. 24/7 support via hotline visit their site to chat or text. Medical care or forensic exam for recent sexual assault, support for victims of trafficking, individual counseling, support groups, peer support, case management, life skills and more.
Free Education • Skill Learning
Smithville Community Gardens: 107 SW 2nd Street, Smithville, TX 78957 | Free Programs
Thursdays at the Gardens!: Every Thursday | 3:30 - 7:00PM | All ages welcome!
Fridays at the Gardens!: Garden Kids Fridays: 10:30AM - 12:00PM (for parents and littles)
Home Schoolers Open Studio: 1:00PM - 3:00PM | Open Studio: draw, write, explore, create, make commune, expand.
Stitch Mend and Make: 6:00 - 8:00PM | Every Third Tuesday | Bring your projects! They have the rest including; needles, thread, patches, machines, and community to share ideas!
Mom's Crafternoon: 4:00PM -6:00PM | First and Third Sunday Only | No Kids - Babies in arms welcome | BYOB
A free program sponsored by Smithville Public Library and St. David's Foundation and brought to you by Reduce, Reuse, Remake.
Job Corps: www.jobcorps.gov | 120+ Campuses Nationwide | 10 In Demand Industries | 100+ Training Areas
Job Corps is the nation’s largest free, residential career training and education program for low-income young adults ages 16 through 24. Whether you’re searching for a new career, finishing your high school diploma or exploring your options, Job Corps can provide you with FREE training to jump-start your future.
Legal Assistance
Catholic Charities of Central Texas: 512-651-6125 | www.ccctx.org
Provides legal assistance on immigration matters. There is a $50 initial consultation fee which includes review of clients eligibility for immigration benefits. Assistance in several areas of immigration including; DACA, U-VISA, VAWA, Permanent Residency and Naturalization. There is a satellite office in Bryan, TX.
Justice for Children: 713-225-4357 | www.justiceforchildren.org
Justice for Children’s Call Center helps when the child protection system fails to protect a child. We offer information, guidance and assistance to adults who are trying to keep the child safe. Our Pro Bono Legal program provides free legal help when it appears that a court or agency will return a child to an abusive situation. Our Court Watch program sends observers to courts in cases where a know abuser might be on the verge of obtaining custody or unsupervised visitation. Provides full range of advocacy and services for abused and neglected children; includes legal advocacy, court watch for Texas residents, professional referrals, and initiating child abuse investigations.
Online Resources
211: www.211.org
211 work on landline and some cell phone. Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance. Physical and Mental Health Resources, Employment Support, Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: support for children, youth and family find online resources for financial assistance, mental health, pregnancy, parenting, teen & young adult resources.
Benefits.org: www.benefits.org
The Benefit Finder questionnaire can help you find benefits you may be eligible to receive and direct you to the agency to apply. Information on over 1,000 benefit and assistance programs. Our online screening is completely confidential. Website is best way to access, but phone answered M-F 8am-8pm EST.
Crisis Text Line: www.crisistextline.org
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor Free 24/7 support at your fingertips.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453 | www.childhelp.org
Offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources - all calls anonymous. Can refer to a local reporting number Primary
Help Guide for Abused Men: www.helpguide.org
The help guide contains a broad overview of information for male victims that can be a good starting place for someone to identify signs and begin to find support.
ABA Free Legal Answers: www.abafreelegalanswers.org
ABA Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice clinic in which qualifying users post civil legal questions at no cost to be answered by pro bono attorneys licensed in their state.
Law Help: www.lawhelp.org
LawHelp Provides lists of states for people to find free legal aid. Helps low and moderate income people find free legal aid programs in their communities, and answers to questions about their legal rights.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 800-950-NAMI (6264) | www.nami.org
Local programs offer support groups and information and referral services. Website has map to locate a local group.
National Parent Helpline: 855-427-2736 | www.nationalparenthelpline.org
National Parent Helpline A trained National Parent Helpline Advocate is ready to: listen to you; offer emotional support; help you problem-solve, etc. Spanish services available.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 24/7 Services | www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a leader in suicide prevention and mental health crisis care. 24/7 Services
Teen Line: www.teenlineonline.org
A resource for teens who want to talk with other teens about anything that may be going on in their life. In addition to their hotline they also offer email, live chat options and a message board if someone wants help and wants to remain anonymous.
The Trevor Helpline: www.thetrevorproject.org
The Trevor Helpline - GLBT Youth Support Line Crisis Intervention and a suicide prevention hotline for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Teens and young adults ages. They offer a 24/hr peer advocate hotline as well as a chat function to anyone in the GLBTQ community needing help or looking for support.
Victim Connect: (855) 484-2846 | www.victimconnect.org
VictimConnect is a referral helpline where crime victims can learn about their rights and options confidentially and compassionately. We listen, offer resources and information and try to connect all contacts with a local referral.
Womens Law: www.womenslaw.org
Website provides easy-to-understand legal information for DV or SA victims. State-specific legal information; information on getting help in your community. Email hotline will close when they receive too many requests. Check website for information on when they will re-open.
Your Life Your Voice (Boys Town): www.yourlifeyourvoice.org | Live chat Mon-Thurs 7:30 pm-12 am CST.
Your Life Your Voice (Boys Town) Boys Town site for teens. Same hotline number as Boys Town. Also offer an emailing service you submit an email
through the site and a counselor will respond within 24 hours. Contact if you're depressed, contemplating suicide, being physically or sexually abused, on the run, addicted, threatened by gang violence, fighting with a friend or parent, or dealing with other issues.