Family Centers

Our three family centers provide emergency shelter and case management services to families experiencing homelessness. They include the Fall River Family Center, Harbour House Family Center in New Bedford, and Taunton Family Center. All are funded by the Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD).

Fall River and Taunton Family Centers house 7 families each, and Harbo​ur House Family Center houses 16 families.

Situated in the heart of the historic downtown/lower Highlands neighborhood,  Fall River Family Center is centrally located, convenient to the public library, bus terminal, and Charlton Memorial Hospital. Harbour House Family Center, which opened in 2001, is located in a residential section of New Bedford on the bus line and childcare services are available at the on-site child development center.. Taunton Family Center is also situated in a residential area, within walking distance of downtown Taunton, supermarkets, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, library, post office, and Morton Hospital.

Trauma-informed staff provides essential wraparound services at our family centers. Families are supported in all aspects of their journey towards self-sufficiency, with their primary goal being to rapidly re-house in sustainable permanent housing.

Residents receive a comprehensive assessment and participate in the development of short and long-term goals. Moreover, they are provided with assistance beyond the basic necessities to sustain activities associated with daily living.

Case managers work with families on issues based on a family’s particular needs: examples include addressing parenting issues, maintaining healthy nutrition, registering for GED or ES​OL classes, applying for job training, and addressing domestic violence. Outside referrals are made for added support services, as needed. A foundation is established for families outside the shelter as well, so when they transition into permanent housing, they will be less likely to return to the shelter system because of an ignorance of community-based services. SFS subcontracts with Catholic Social Services to provide ​Specialized ​housing services ​are provided to residents, assisting them in their housing search, and following up with stabilization services for up to 18 months once families move into permanent housing.

Family Preservation Program (FPP)

FPP is a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program funded by HUD and managed by the City of New Bedford Continuum of Care (COC). The program consists of sixteen 2 and 3-bedroom scattered site units located in New Bedford.

FPP provides housing and case management services to homeless families with children where the head of household has a substance use disorder. Additional available resources include the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, the Career Center, New Bedford Public Schools, Dept. of Transitional Services, and the Dept. of Children and Families. There is staff availability for emergencies 24-7 year-round, including holidays. The program shares many of the same goals as our family centers: Families are supported in all aspects of their journey towards self-sufficiency, the primary goals being stability and the ability to thrive independently.

Participants are offered workshops that address employment, health, and finances and are expected to meet with their case manager as scheduled. Together, clients and case managers develop an individual service plan with clearly stated goals and objectives. FPP provides a safe and supportive setting for families in recovery as they work towards economic independence.

Healthy Families of Massachusetts

Healthy Families Massachusetts (HFM) is a statewide, voluntary home-based family support and coaching program for first-time young parents funded by the Children’s Trust. The program helps to create a stable and nurturing environment for the child, providing support during pregnancy and the child’s first three years of life. Home visitors teach parents about infant care, promote nurturing and attachment, practice effective parenting skills, and ensure parents have a solid understanding of healthy child development. Group services are offered to promote social connectedness. The program also assists parents on achieving personal goals related to education, employment, and the health/wellness of the family. In addition, resources and referrals are provided as appropriate.

South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center (SSRAC)

South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center (SSRAC) is a victim service, community-based program that has assisted survivors of domestic violence for 40 years. In addition to domestic violence services, staff provides services to family and loved ones impacted by impaired driving accidents (under the Road to Healing program), as well as those who have lost a loved one to homicide (under the SHARES program). Our focus is to create a confidential, welcoming environment where survivors can feel safe to make empowering choices. Services are free and confidential to all, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, identity, orientation, religious beliefs, gender, nation of origin, immigration status, income, and/or ability.

For more information, click here to visit the SSRAC website.

Community Partners

South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center works with our community partners to educate people about domestic violence, in addition to preventing its occurrence. Partners include local police departments, schools, Council on Aging centers, Department of Children & Families, Department of Transitional Assistance, Plymouth County DA’s Office, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, Plymouth County Risk Assessment Team, the United Way of Greater Plymouth County, faith-based entities, and other interested groups.

SSRAC collaborates with the Intimate Partner Abuse Education Program, (IPAEP) an 80-hour Department of Public Health certified educational program for individuals engaging in emotional, mental, and/or physical abuse. The goal is to end the cycle of violence and increase victim/survivor safety.