Southeast Massachusetts Council on Advocacy
SEMCOA’s mission is to advocate for and provide support to individuals, families, and communities in the areas of substance use, mental illness, domestic violence, homelessness, and parenting. This diverse scope provides wraparound services for those in need.
SEMCOA’s origins date to 1971 when it was founded in the City of New Bedford. Since then, the agency has shifted, merged, and grown to meet expanding needs. The thread that connects all of SEMCOA’s projects and programs is an effort to support individuals and families on their journeys towards self-sufficiency and independence.
Family Centers
Our four family centers provide emergency shelter and case management services to families experiencing homelessness.
All are ADA-accessible (not sure about Wareham- I reached out to Reun). They include Fall River Family Center, Harbour House Family Center in New Bedford, Taunton Family Center, and Wareham Family Center. All are funded by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).
Fall River Family Center
Phone: 508-679-2109
Fax: 508-676-6694
257 Cherry Street, Fall River, MA 02720
Admission Policy: Families are referred by the Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
This center can accommodate up to 7 families/28 participants at one time.
Harbour House Family Center
Phone: 508-992-6027
Fax: 508-992-5017
713 Shawmut Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02746
Admission Policy: Families are referred by the Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
This center can accommodate up to 16 families/52 participants at one time.
Taunton Family Center
Phone: 508-738-5142
Fax: 508-738-5163
74 Winthrop Street, Taunton, MA 02780
Admission Policy: Families are referred by the Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
This center accommodates up to 7 families/25 participants at one time.
Wareham Family Center
3224 Cranberry Highway
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
This emergency shelter has the capacity to house 30 homeless 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 and near supermarkets, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, library, post office, and Morton Hospital.
Wareham Family Center is located conveniently on Rte. 6, providing families access to commercial and recreational activities.
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 of rapidly re-housing in sustainable permanent housing. Families receive a comprehensive assessment upon entering the family center 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 challenges based on a family’s particular needs: examples include addressing parenting issues, maintaining healthy nutrition, registering for GED or ESOL classes, applying for job training, and addressing domestic violence. Outside referrals are made for added support services, as needed. A supportive foundation is established for families (case management), so when they transition into permanent housing, they are less likely to return to the shelter system.
If you are a family seeking shelter, call the Massachusetts Emergency Family Shelter Contact Line: Monday – Friday 8 AM-5 PM at 866-584-0653.
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.
Parents include single or coupled mothers or fathers. 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.
Greater Attleboro Taunton’s Healthy Families team serves first-time parents age 23 and younger that are pregnant or parenting their first child under a year old and residing in Attleboro, Berkley, Carver, Dighton, Lakeville, Mansfield, Middleboro, North Attleboro, Norton, Plymouth, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, or Taunton.
Office Location:
135 Washington Street, 2nd Floor
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 774-409-7231
Healthyfamiliesma.org
Greater Brockton’s Healthy Families team serves first-time parents age 24 and younger that are pregnant or parenting their first child under a year old and residing in Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanson, Holbrook, Kingston, Pembroke, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, West Bridgewater, or Whitman.
231 Main St. Suite 203
Brockton, MA 02301
Phone: 508-894-4039
Childrenstrustma.org/gbhf
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.
Phone: 508-746-2664
24-hour Hotline: 888-746-2664
P.O. Box 6237
Plymouth, MA 02360
For more information, click the button below to visit the SSRAC website.
