Our goal is to help you develop the professional skills, personal behaviors, and a record of reliability necessary to successfully obtain entry-level employment. Sometimes, life challenges pop up in the middle of your training program and no matter how well you plan you may need additional resources to complete your program. As the saying goes, it takes a village, and your American Institute family is part of your village now and ready to help however we can.

The information below is organized by topic to help you easily find what you’re looking for, simply click on the topic below to jump to that section’s resources. If there’s something you’re facing that you are not finding a resource for in this list, please reach out to your Instructor, Program Director, Director of Education, or any American Institute staff member that you feel comfortable with and they will be eager to help you find a resource for your need.

The intent of the information below is to provide you with an online resource list to help you overcome whatever challenges you may encounter as you strive to complete your career training and become aware of the resources available to you in our community.

This list is not intended to substitute for any medical or professional advice; in the event of an emergency please dial 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.

• General Resource
• Childcare
• County Welfare Agencies
• Domestic Abuse
• Early Childhood Services
• Family Support Services
• Financial & Other Assistance
• Food Insecurity
• Housing
• Legal Services
• Mental Health Resources
• Substance Abuse
• Suicide

General resource assistance is offered by NJ211. If you are looking for help, dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in New Jersey. You will speak with a contact specialist who will help you locate programs and services in your area. The specialist can make it easier for you to find information, discover options, or deal with a crisis.

If you have difficulties using the 2-1-1 number, you can dial 1-877-746-5211.

Back to Top

Childcare

1. Community Child Care Solutions: 732-324-4357, 103 Center St, Perth Amboy
2. Community Child Care Solutions: 908-927-0869, 86 East Main St, Somerville
3. Community Coordinated Child Care of Union: 973-923-1433, 2 City Hall Plaza, Rahway

Back to Top

County Welfare Agencies

1. Middlesex County Board of Social Services: 732-745-3500
   • 181 Howe Lane, New Brunswick NJ;
   • 252 Madison, Perth Amboy NJ
2. Somerset County Board of Social Services: 908-526-8800
   • 391-D Somerset St., North Plainfield NJ
3. Somerset County Board of Social Services: 732-846-6499
   • 610 Franklin Blvd., Somerset NJ
4. Somerset County Board of Social Services: 908-526-8800
   • 73 East High St., Somerville NJ
5. Union County Division of Social Services: 908-965-2700
   • 342 Westminster Ave, Elizabeth NJ;
   • 200 West Second St, Plainfield NJ;
   • 1145 East Jersey St, Elizabeth NJ

Back to Top

Domestic Abuse

1. SAFE in Hunterdon Women’s Domestic Violence Shelter: 908-788-7666; 47 E. Main St., Flemington, NJ 08822
   • For victims of domestic violence. Emergency safe housing. Legal support, couseling, education.
2. 180 Turning Lives Around: 732-264-4111, 1 Bethany Rd, Hazlet NJ 07730
   • Domestic violence victims only
3. Women Aware Domestic Violence Shelter: 732-249-4900; hotline, 250 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick NJ 08901
   • Provides emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and children; 24 hr crisis intervention; legal information, community education; support groups.
4. Resource Center of Somerset: 908-359-0003, 427 Homstead Rd, Hillsborough NJ 08844
   • County Served: Somerset and surrounding.
   • Provides temporary shelter and counseling for victims of domestic violence. Also provides legal counseling, community education, transitional housing. Spanish and English spoken.
5. Middlesex Center for Empowerment: 732-745-8270; 877-665-7273 (hotline); 29 Oakwood Ave, Edison NJ
6. Safe and Sound Somerset: 866-685-1122; 427 Homestead Rd, Hillsborough NJ
7. Union County Rape Crisis Center: 908-233-7273; 300 North Avenue, East Westfield NJ

Back to Top

Early Childhood Services

1. Central Jersey Family Health: 732-362-8040; 2 King Arthur Court, North Brunswick NJ
2. United Way of Central Jersey: 732-247-3727; 32 Ford Ave Milltown NJ
3. Puerto Rican Action Board: 732-828-4510; 90 Jersey Ave New Brunswick NJ
4. Prevent Child Abuse NJ: 732-246-8060; 103 Church St New Brunswick NJ
5. Empower Somerset, Inc: 908-722-4400; 34 West Main St. Somerville NJ
6. Community Hospital Group – JFK Medical: 908-668-2780; 200 West 2nd St Plainfield NJ

Back to Top

Family Support Services Provide services to strengthen families, support, prevention of child abuse and neglect. At least 1 in every NJ county

1. Harmony Family Success Center: 732-640-0801; 255 Lvingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ
2. Bayside Family Success Center: 732-324-2114; 500 Dobranski Drive, Perth Amboy NJ
3. Greenway Family Success Center: 732-527-3400; 537 New Brunswick Ave, Fords NJ
4. Children’s Home Society: 800-396-4518; 416 Bellevue Ave, Trenton NJ
5. Pioneer Family Success Center: 908-722-4400; 50 Division St, Somerville NJ
6. The Village Family Success Center: 908-469-9508; 213 Jefferson Ave, Elizabeth NJ
7. Plainfield Family Success Center: 908-731-4200; 504 Madison Ave, Plainfield NJ
8. Bayway Family Success Center: 908-289-0136; 688 Maple Ave., Elizabeth NJ
9. Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County: 732-777-1940; 32 Ford Ave, Milltown NJ

Back to Top

Financial & Other Assistance

1. Gambling Support: 855-222-5542

Back to Top

Food Insecurity

1. First Presbyterian Church of Avenel: 732-634-1631, 621 East Woodbridge Ave., Avenel NJ 07001
   • County Served: Middlesex
   • Hours: Last Tuesday of each month – 10 am to 11:30 am
   • Details: May provide emergency food supplies
2. Food Bank Network of Somerset County: 732-560-1813, 9 Easy St., Bound Brook NJ 08805
   • County Served: Somerset
   • Hours: Monday to Friday – 10 am to 3 pm
   • Details: Photo ID and proof of residency required.
3. Aldersgate Outreach Community Center: 732-254-7361, 568 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick NJ 08816
   • County Served: Middlesex
   • Hours: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday – 1 pm to 3 pm
4. Hands of Hope for the Community at St. James Church: 732-236-3330, 2136 Woodbridge Ave., Edison NJ 08817
   • County Served: Middlesex
   • Hours: 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month – 11 am to 1:30 pm
   • Details: Bring photo ID, verification of address. Also provides – Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinner boxes; Christmas gifts for children; clothes, school supplies; books, health fairs.
5. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church: 732-287-0888, 445 Old Post Rd., Edison NJ 08817
   • County Served: Middlesex
   • Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:30 am to 11 am
6. Alliance Center for Independence (ACI): 732-738-4388, 629 Amboy Ave., Edison NJ 08837
   • County Served: Middlesex
   • Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 am to 5 pm
7. St. Mary Assumption of Parish: 908-352-5154, 155 Washington Ave., Elizabeth NJ 07202
   • County Served: Union
8. St. Patrick’s Church: 908-354-0023, 215 Court St., Elizabeth NJ 07206
   • County Served: Union
9. Mt. Teman A.M.E. Church: 908-351-2625, 160 Madison Ave., Elizabeth NJ 07201
   • County Served: Union
   • Hours: Monday to Friday – 10 am to 4 pm
10. Jewish Family Services: 908-352-8375, 655 Westfield Ave., Elizabeth NJ 07208
    • County Served: Union
    • Hours: Monday and Tuesday – 9 am to 9 pm / Wednesday and Thursday – 9 am to 5 pm / Friday – 9 am to 4 pm
11. Jefferson Park Ministries: 908-469-9508, 70 West Grand St., Elizabeth NJ 07201
    • County Served: Union
    • Hours: Monday to Thursday – 9 am to 6 pm / Friday – 9 am to 2 pm
12. Elizabethport Presbyterian Center: 908-351-4850, 184 First St., Elizabeth NJ 07206
    • County Served: Union
    • Hours: Last week of every month – Wed and Fri – call for hours
13. First Presbyterian Church of Iselin: 732-283-1188, 1295 Oak Tree Rd., Iselin NJ 08830
    • County Served: Middlesex
14. St. Cecelia Food Pantry: 732-283-0150, 45 Wilus Way, Iselin NJ 08830
    • County Served: Middlesex
    • Hours: Tuesday – 10 am to 12:30 pm
15. First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen: 732-491-2300, 270 Woodbridge Ave., Metuchen NJ 08840
    • County Served: Middlesex
    • Hours: Thursday – 9 am to 12 noon, monthly
    • Details: For residents of Metuchen and Edison – proof of residency required; call Tuesday and pick up on Thursday.
16. Jewish Family and Vocational Services of Middlesex County: 732-777-1940, 32 Ford Ave. 2nd Fl., Milltown NJ 08850
    • County Served: Middlesex
    • Details: Kosher pantry; serves all faiths
17. Five Loaves Food Pantry: 732-545-0581, 100 College Ave., New Brunswick NJ 08901
    • County Served: Middlesex
    • Hours: Monday to Friday – 4 pm to 8 pm
    • Details: Provide proof of Middlesex residency
18. Elijah’s Promise: 732-545-9002, 18 Neilson St., New Brunswick NJ 08901
    • County Served: Middlesex
19. Family and Children’s Services of Central NJ: 732-545-0366, 2 Kirkpatrick and New Streets, New Brunswick NJ 08901
    • County Served: Middlesex
20. Ebenezer Baptist Church Food Pantry: 732-247-2459, 126 Lee Ave., New Brunswick NJ 08901 County Served: Middlesex
21. Christ Episcopal Church: 732-545-6262, 5 Paterson St., New Brunswick NJ 08901
    • County Served: Middlesex
22. Meals on Wheels: 732-826-1690, 1 Olive St., Perth Amboy NJ 08861
    • County Served: Middlesex
23. Emmaus Retreat House: 732-442-7688, 101 Center St., Perth Amboy NJ 08861
    • County Served: Middlesex
24. Mercy House: 732-826-0447, 282 McClellan St., Perth Amboy NJ 08861
    • County Served: Middlesex
    • Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:30 am to 3 pm
    • Details: Must register; also provides clothes; part of We Care
25. Franklin Township Food Bank: 732-246-0009, 60 Millstone Rd, Somerset NJ 08875
    • County Served: Somerset
    • Hours: Monday to Thursday – 11 am to 3 pm / Saturday 10am to 12 noon
26. Franklin Food Bank: 732-246-0009, 224 Churchill Ave, Somerset NJ 08873
    • County Served: Somerset
    • Hours: Monday, Tues, Wed – 10 am to 3 pm / Thurs – 10 am to 7 pm / Saturday – 9 am to 12 noon
27. Feeding Hands: 908-397-6452, 100 Grant Ave., Somerville NJ 08876
    • County Served: Somerset
    • Hours: Tuesday 1 pm to 3 pm and 7 pm to 8:30 pm
    • Details: Photo ID and income required
28. First Presbyterian Church: 732-721-4516, 150 North Broadway, South Amboy NJ 08879
    • County Served: Middlesex – South Amboy, Parlin, Laurence Harbor and Sayreville
    • Hours: 3rd Saturday of each month – 9:30 am t0 11:30 am
    • Details: Bring photo ID and proof of address
29. Reformed Church of Bound Brook: 732-356-9345, 113 Clinton St., South Bound Brook NJ 08880
    • County Served: Somerset
30. Sacred Heart Church – Social Concerns: 908-756-0633, 149 South Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield NJ 07080
    • County Served: Middlesex – South Plainfield
    • Hours: Call at extension 112
    • Details: Need based services for food and funds, for utilities and housing; messages reviewed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
31. South Plainfield Social Services: 908-226-7625, 2480 Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield NJ 07080
    • County Served: Middlesex
32. Trinity Church Food Pantry: 732-634-7422, 650 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge NJ 07095
    • County Served: Middlesex
    • Hours: Thursdays – 10 am
33. Heaven’s Helper Food Pantry: 732-742-8942, 393 Pearl St., Woodbridge NJ 07095
    • County Served: Middlesex
    • Hours: First Tuesday of each month – 9:30 am to 12 noon
    • Details: May provide emergency food supplies – please call; entrance is blue door at corner of Pearl and James Streets.

Back to Top

Housing

1. Ozanam Family Shelter: 732-985-0327, 89 Truman Drive, Edison NJ 08817
   • County Served: Middlesex.
   • Emergency shelter for 16 single women and 26 families; counseling; assistance with housing; employment assistance; referrals. Must live in Middlesex County.
2. YMCA of Eastern Union County Shelter: 908-355-9622, 144 Madison Ave., Elizabeth NJ 07201
   • County Served: Union.
   • Men over 18 and female heads of household (must be referred by the Division of Social Services). Provide emergency meals, housing search, counseling referrals.
3. Salvation Army Emergency Shelter: 908-352-2886, 1018 E. Grand St., Elizabeth, NJ 07201
   • County Served: Middlesex
4. Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless: 908-355-2060, 118 Division St., Elizabeth, NJ 07201
   • County Served: Union. Temporary or emergency shelter.
5. Naomi’s Way Transitional Housing: 732-565-7974, 4 Roosevelt Ave., New Brunswick NJ 08901
   • Has 16 1 and 2 bedroom units; supports homeless mothers who are employed or in job training; stays may last up to 24 months.
6. Ozanam Men’s Shelter: 732-729-0850, 22 Abel St., New Brunswick NJ 08901
   • County Served: Middlesex.
   • For men only; temporary and emergency lodging; meals; counseling; assistance with housing and employment.
7. State Street Transitional Housing: 732-826-7711, 933 State St., Perth Amboy NJ 08861
   • County Served: Middlesex.
   • 25 transitional rooms and 27 studio apts; for low-income singles or couples with no children; must have some income to be eligible and sign a plan with goals and objectives; other services include – counseling, transportation, job search.
8. Salvation Army Perth Amboy Shelter – Jermeiah’s Refuge: 732-826-7040, 433 State St., Perth Amboy NJ 08861
   • County Served: Middlesex.
   • For men only. Services include – meals, aid with permanent housing, money management aid.
9. Homefirst Interfaith Housing and Family Services: 908-753-4001, 1009 Park Ave., Plainfield NJ 07060
   • Provides transitional and permanent housing and community services.
10. Samaritan Homeless Interim Program: 908-393-9545, 87 E. High St., Somerville NJ 08876
    • County Served: Somerset.
    • Provides emergency assistance to individuals and families who do not get assistance from government or other agencies.
11. Somerset County Social Services Emergency Assistance: 908-526-8800, 73 E. High St., Somerville NJ 08876
    • County Served: Somerset.
    • Pays for temporary emergency shelter and food. Services also available to TANF and SSI recipients who are domestic violence victims. Assists with temporary rent, security deposits or utilities.
12. Volunteers of America Delaware Valley Agape House: 908-707-9753, 122-128 East Main St., Somerville NJ 08876
    • 60 bed shelter for homeless individuals and families. Provides counseling, clothing and transportation.
13. Salvation Army Emergency Assistance: 908-851-9300, 4 Gary Rd., Union NJ 07083
    • County Served: Union. Short term emergency assistance to individuals and families. Eligibility – low income individuals.

Back to Top

Legal Services

1. Central Jersey Legal Services: 732-249-7600; 317 George St, New Brunswick NJ
   • Offers free legal help in civil (non-criminal) cases for low-income residents of Mercer, Middlesex and Union Counties. If you have a legal problem and cannot afford an attorney, Central Jersey Legal Services is here to help.
2. Legal Services of NJ: 888-576-5529; PO Box 1357, Edison NJ
   • LSNJ coordinates the statewide Legal Services system, which provides free legal assistance to low-income New Jerseyans for their civil legal problems.

 

Back to Top

Mental Health Resources

1. Peer Recovery Warmline: 877-292-5588
   • Support for mental matters, Mon to Fri 8am to 10 pm, Sat and Sun – 5 pm to 10 pm
2. NJ Mental Health Cares: 866-202-4357
   • Mental health information and support, referrals to housing, counseling, employment, legal, rehab

Back to Top

Substance Abuse Resources

1. Addictions.com: 800-662-HELP (4357)
3. American Association of Poison Control Centers: 800-222-1222
   • Free confidential medical advice 24/7 for poisoning information
4. Narcotics Anonymous: 800-992-0401
5. NJ Connect for Recovery Call Line: 855-652-3737
   • Free, safe, confidential support for opiate users and their friends/families
6. Narcotics.com: 800-407-7195
   • https://www.narcotics.com/na-meetings/new-jersey/

Back to Top

Suicide – If you or someone you love is at risk for suicide, please reach out for support! Confidential support is available to you that can help.

1. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8225
   • Immediate crisis assistance. 24/7, free and confidential support
2. New Jersey Suicide Prevention Hopeline: 855-654-6735
   • In-state adolescents peer support, 24/7
3. Crisis Text Line: Text 741741
   • free 24/7 support

Back to Top