Directory
110 resources
United Way of Connecticut
Statewide information and referral service connecting residents with social services including housing, food, healthcare, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 by phone. 2-1-1 is also the fr…
24/7 by phone; from outside CT, or if 2-1-1 does not connect, call 1-800-203-1234
Before you go: Bring photo ID and any eviction, shelter, lease, or income paperwork you have.
SAMHSA
Free, confidential 24/7 crisis support for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call, text, or chat. Available in English and Spanish.
24/7
Before you go: If this is urgent or you may hurt yourself or someone else, call 988 or 911.
Access Independence, Inc.
A Center for Independent Living serving coastal Fairfield County, including Bridgeport, from its office in Stratford. Provides advocacy, peer support, information and referral, independent-living skil…
By appointment; call to confirm current service hours.
Before you go: Ask which disability services fit your situation before scheduling.
Advancing CT Together
Statewide harm reduction services including syringe service program (SSP), naloxone/Narcan distribution, overdose prevention education, HIV/Hepatitis C screening, and safer sex supplies. Non-judgmenta…
Varies by service; contact for schedule
Before you go: Call or check outreach hours before going because mobile and drop-in schedules can change.
Alliance for Community Empowerment
Free diapers, period products, and adult incontinence products for families in need through partnership with The Diaper Bank of Connecticut. Two pickup locations in Bridgeport.
Mon-Fri; call for pickup schedule
Before you go: Bring the child's birth date, parent or guardian ID, income information, and any Care 4 Kids paperwork.
Alliance for Community Empowerment
Community action agency providing emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and other basic needs. Serves over 35,000 individuals annually across the Greater Bridgeport area.
Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Before you go: Bring ID, proof of income, benefit notices, and bills related to the help you need.
Alliance for Community Empowerment
Federal Head Start and Early Head Start programs at 13 sites across Greater Bridgeport, Trumbull, and Stratford. Full-year preschool for children 0-5 from low-income families. Part-day (9am-1:50pm, fr…
Part-day: 9am-1:50pm; Full-day: 7:30am-5:30pm
Before you go: Bring the child's birth date, parent or guardian ID, income information, and any Care 4 Kids paperwork.
Alliance for Community Empowerment (formerly ABCD)
Bridgeport's Community Action Agency (formerly ABCD) helps residents apply for SNAP food benefits: submitting the DSS application, uploading documents, completing DSS portal tasks, and understanding b…
Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Central Connecticut Coast YMCA
Largest emergency shelter program for families in Connecticut. Families live in the shelter for 60-90 days while receiving case management, meals (lunch, dinner, cold breakfast), and connections to pe…
Beds through 2-1-1 only
Before you go: This shelter is for families, not individuals. Don't just walk up to 309 Brooks St. In CT, call 2-1-1 first to start Coordinated Access intake and get referred here.
CT Department of Labor
One-stop career center providing job search assistance, career coaching, resume help, job training information, educational opportunities, and access to hiring events. Free services.
Mon-Fri 8am-4:15pm
Before you go: Bring photo ID, work history, resume if you have one, and any benefit or referral paperwork.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut
Youth mentoring program pairing children with adult mentors for one-on-one friendship and guidance. Community-based and site-based mentoring programs help youth build confidence, improve academic perf…
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (office)
Before you go: Bring the child's birth date, parent or guardian ID, income information, and any Care 4 Kids paperwork.
Park City Initiative
Food pantry serving Bridgeport residents with groceries and food assistance.
Tue 10am-2pm, Wed 12-4pm, Thu 1-6pm
Before you go: Call or check hours before going because pantry schedules can change.
Saturday community food pantry at the Black Rock Senior Center for residents of the 06605 ZIP code.
Sat 9am-11am
Before you go: Bring photo ID and proof of address if you have them.
City of Bridgeport Department on Aging
City-run senior center in the Black Rock neighborhood with bingo, tai chi, chair exercises, and social chat sessions. Membership is free and open to adults 55 and older.
Mon-Fri 8am-3pm
Before you go: Bring ID, Medicare or insurance cards, benefit notices, and caregiver contact information if relevant.
Church of the Blessed Sacrament
Parish food pantry serving over 300 registered families. Sourced from CT Food Bank and supplemented by donations from other parishes. Open every Thursday except the first Thursday of the month.
Thu 7:30am-10am (except 1st Thu of month)
Before you go: Call or check hours before going because pantry schedules can change.
Bridgeport Public Schools
Free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes from introductory to advanced levels. Also offers citizenship preparation courses covering US History, Government, and Civics for the USCIS exam. GED an…
Day classes at 418 Kossuth St; Evening classes at Central High School
Before you go: Bring immigration notices, identity documents, court papers, and any prior applications if you have them.
City of Bridgeport Health & Social Services
City social services information and referrals for people with disabilities, including connections to public benefits, accessibility supports, transportation, and community services.
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm
Before you go: Bring photo ID, proof of Bridgeport residency, and any benefit or disability paperwork.
Bridgeport Hospital (Yale New Haven Health)
Emergency psychiatric care through the Bridgeport Hospital Emergency Department, a 20-bed inpatient psychiatric unit for adults 18 and older, and outpatient programs such as REACH.
24/7 for emergency; inpatient and outpatient hours vary
Before you go: If this is urgent or you may hurt yourself or someone else, call 988 or 911.
City of Bridgeport Department of Youth Services
Free after-school program operating in 23 Bridgeport public schools, serving over 2,200 students daily. Programming includes academic enrichment, personal growth, social development, career readiness,…
Mon-Fri, school dismissal to 5:30pm (school year)
Before you go: Bring the child's birth date, parent or guardian ID, income information, and any Care 4 Kids paperwork.
City of Bridgeport
City reentry support for residents returning from incarceration, with referrals for employment, housing, identification, benefits, mentoring, and community services.
Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
Before you go: Bring ID if you have it, release paperwork, and any probation/parole contact information.
Connecticut Probate Courts
Handles matters including wills and estates, conservatorships, guardianship of minors, name changes, adoption, and commitment proceedings. Public court serving Bridgeport residents.
Mon-Thu 8:30am-5pm; Fri 8:30am-4pm
Before you go: Bring court papers, notices, letters, leases, IDs, and deadlines related to the legal issue.
Career Resources, Inc. and Recovery Network of Programs
One-stop reentry center for people returning from incarceration and other people affected by the justice system. Staff coordinate case management and timely connections to basic needs, employment and …
Intake hours vary; complete the referral form or call before visiting.
Before you go: Bring release papers and identification if you have them. Ask what documents are needed when the center contacts you.
City of Bridgeport Health & Social Services
Emergency assistance for individuals who have received an eviction notice or are encountering hardship cases that may lead to eviction. Helps with relocation and housing stabilization.
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm
Before you go: Call before going to confirm bed, appointment, or waitlist status.
Bridgeport Rescue Mission
Free clothing distribution for children, men, and women. Primarily serves individuals experiencing homelessness, though very low-income residents may also qualify. Part of the Rescue Mission's compreh…
Call for current hours
Before you go: No set hours are posted, so call before you go to confirm they're open. Clothing is free for kids, men, and women, no purchase needed.