Resources

Books and Libraries

  • The Carnegie library system has a lot of events to offer, such as storytime activities, arts and crafts, along with events for the whole family. This link will take you to their events page and you can search by age, event and location.
  • Free Library Card
    • Get a free library card
    • Using any library card, you can sign up for Libby, a free mobile app that provides ebooks and audiobooks for loan.

  • Dolly Parton Imagination Library: You can sign up for this program to receive free books for children ages 0-5. Each month, the library mails an age-appropriate book to all registered children.
  • Free Kids Books: Visit this website to browse a variety of free books for kids, including dyslexia friendly fonts, different reading levels, academic books, and books for English language learners.

Fun Activities for Children and Families

  • RAD Pass website
  • You can get RAD Passes for free or discounted passes to cultural attractions in the Pittsburgh region. Any Allegheny County resident with an active Allegheny County library card is eligible for RAD passes

  • The Family Centers program connects you with 22 centers where you and your child can hang out, meet other families, and socialize for free

  • The Children's Museum is a fun, hands-on museum in Pittsburgh where you and your kids can explore and play together

  • Visit this indoor play space that has toys and arts for children. They also offer a lending library, consisting of hundreds of toys that members can borrow to take home and bring back at a later time.

  • You can visit this outdoor nature center for people of all ages to learn about, explore, and discover the environment. They offer a variety of children, family, and adult programs.

Resources for Children

  • Compass: Child Care and Other Early Learning Programs
    Using this online resource, you can find child care and other early learning programs. There are search options for either address or provider name.
  • Trying Together
    You can use this online resource to help find and choose childcare options. Their website also features events that allow for child socialization.
  • JCC offers J Days for your kids which are programmed with field trips or other exciting activities at the JCC when school is not in session for children ages prek to grade 6. Before and after care is also offered.

  • Alliance for Infants and Toddlers
    412-885-6000
    You can use this organization to get developmental screenings and interventions for children age birth up to age 3 for free, regardless of income, for residents of Allegheny County or Beaver County
  • Preschool Early Intervention Program
    Visit this site to find free screenings for eligible children in Allegheny County, ages 3-5, who are experiencing developmental delays or disabilities to identify a child's needs in communication, adaptive, cognitive, fine motor, gross motor, personal/social areas.
  • Child Development Unit Of Children's Hospital
    You can find medical professionals who offer a range of child assessments and promotes having the family as active participants. Referrals are necessary and requirements can be found on the website.
  • UPMC Center For Autism And Developmental Disorders
    Visit this center for assessments, diagnostic, and intervention services for children, adolescents, and adults with no referral required

Utility and Appliance Assistance

  • Appliance Warehouse
    This store is an appliance warehouse where you can shop online or in person. They'll deliver, install your new appliances, and take away the old ones too.
  • Construction Junction
    Visit this reuse warehouse to view a variety of items including appliances. They have an online website, but also an in person store with more stock.
  • Habitat for Humanity
    Check out this store to see new and used appliances, furniture, and more at a discounted price. They post their new inventory daily on the Habitat for Humanity Facebook page.

  • LIHEAP
    Check out this program that provides cash grants to eligible families in Pennsylvania to help pay their heating bill from early November-late April
  • Duquesne Light Customer Assistance Program (CAP)
    With Duquesne Light's Customer Assistance Program (CAP), if eligible, you can receive reduced monthly payments and debt forgiveness
  • Dollar Energy Fund
    You can use this program for utility assistance grants to help restore your service or prevent service termination.
  • YWCA
    Visit this organization's website to view a safe and supportive space to connect individuals to financial assistance and other resources for basic needs, transportation, housing, and career, personal, and professional development
  • North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO)
    You can use this program for a lot of different services, including transportation assistance, utilities and rental help, food pantry, and many others listed on their website. The list of zip codes they service can be found on their website.

Car Seat Information and Resources

  • Find a variety of car seat resources with this site, such as car seats, loan programs, and fitting stations across Pennsylvania.

Clothing and Diaper Assistance

  • NCJW clothing distribution
  • You can use this program to get free kids clothing for children ages newborn to 14. You can also apply for vouchers for a variety of items including clothing, furniture, and small appliances.

  • With the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, you can get assistance throughout the Pittsburgh area, including clothing, food, furniture, utilities, and medical assistance. Some locations offer clothing vouchers.

  • You can use the Free Cycle website to post items to get rid of and post if you are looking for something. All items posted are completely free

Food Assistance

If eligible, you can enroll in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for assistance with buying food. For more information, check out the SNAP website.

Use this online tool to find food resources in the Pittsburgh area.

If you live in Penn Hills, Verona, Oakmont, Plum, and Blawnox, register to receive food up to two times a month at the Rosedale Food Pantry website.

You can receive food resources using these Anti-Hunger Programs which includes food pantries, breakfast offerings, and meals for kids. They serve Homestead, West Homestead, Munhall, Duquesne, Whitaker and West Mifflin. Rainbow Kitchen website

Go to this food bank for a variety of food items in North Braddock, Braddock Hills, and East Pittsburgh. The pantry is available to everyone. Bridge City Church website

Crisis and Support Services

  • Resolve
    • A general crisis services for mental health, substance use, etc that is free regardless of income
  • Child and Adolescent Crisis Team Intervention Services (CACTIS)
    • A crisis service for children and adolescents via Re:Solve that focuses on a variety of issues. An intake form and enrollment in the program is required to receive non-emergency crisis services.
      • They operate 24/7/365.
      • Intake: 412-864-5065 (only used for intake, not for assistance with an active crisis)
      • Active crisis: 1-888-796-8226 or 1-888-7-YOU-CAN
  • Center for Victims
  • Trevor Project
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
  • National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
  • National Crisis Text Line
    • A free, confidential 24/7/365 text support line for discussing a variety of things with a volunteer crisis counselor.
  • Jeremiah's Place - Emergency Only
  • Pittsburgh Women's Shelter
    • The Pittsburgh Women's Shelter offers programs and services to provide security and support for anyone seeking safety
      • Call 24/7: 412-687-8005
      • Text 9-5 Monday-Friday: 412-744-8445
      • Chat option on website 9-5 Monday-Friday

  • Warmline
    • This is NOT a crisis service, but a free, confidential phone service that provides certified peer specialist support for needs such as talking through a problem with someone who has had similar experiences with mental health and/or other recovery needs
    • Call: 1-877-550-4007
    • Hours: Tuesday-Saturday from noon to 7:30 p.m.
    • Warmline website
  • Postpartum Support International Helpline
  • Allegheny Family Network- Parent Support Line
    • A support line for families that offers emotional support, information on obtaining tangible supplies, and information about additional resources.
    • Call: 1-888-273-2361
    • 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday
    • Allegheny Family Network website

Medical Assistance Resources

  • If you don't have insurance or enough coverage, this group offers free health clinics in Pittsburgh. They'll help you with routine checkups, spot serious issues, make a treatment plan, and even provide dental care for adults 
  • Catholic Charities free health care center

  • This program helps you get health insurance for your kids if you don't qualify for Medicaid, even if you have work coverage but still need some help. You can learn more and apply on the Pennsylvania CHIP website.

  • Use the Mission of Mercy website to learn about free volunteer-led clinics annually and find year-round dental care and vision services.

Transportation Assistance

  • This group teams up with trusted charities to fix up cars and either give them away or sell them at a discount to people who need them. If you qualify through a referral, they might even help repair your own car. 
  • Drive On 412 website

  • The Community Growth Fund (CGF) offers Ways to Work loans to help you buy or fix a used car. If you live in Southwestern PA, you might qualify. You can check the details and see if you're eligible on their website.

If You're Looking for More Resources, Go Here!

  • Visit the Allegheny County Connect website to view a wide range of services to help with housing, food and transportation, employment and career training, substance use, and more. 
  • For questions or concerns about services, you can call the Department of Human Services (DHS) Director's Action Line specialists who are available Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
  • Call: 1-800-862-6783 Text "Action" to (412) 324-3388 Email: DAL@AlleghenyCounty.US

  • You can use the COMPASS website to help apply and manage a variety of benefits including health care, food assistance, cash assistance, paying for child care, and more.