Friendly House, Inc.

Friendly House, Inc., established in 1920, is a multifaceted community center located in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of underserved and under-resourced families. Over the decades, it has evolved into a comprehensive service provider.

The organization offers a range of programs aimed at fostering self-sufficiency and community engagement.

Housing and Shelter Services

Friendly House operates a continuum of housing solutions including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing.

The Family Shelter & Scattered Sites Program provides temporary accommodations for homeless families with 24-hour staffing, housing search assistance, case management, life skills training, parenting support, and advocacy.

The Transitional Housing program consists of 40 multi-bedroom apartments across Worcester. It assists families in securing permanent housing within a 24-month period.

The Supportive Housing program offers 32 multi-bedroom apartments for families with documented disabilities. Case managers provide long-term support to help maintain housing stability.

Youth Programs

Friendly House offers programs for youth aged 6 to 18, including after-school programs, summer camps, YouthConnect, teen drop-in sessions, and YouthHoops basketball programs.

The YouthConnect initiative is a collaboration among Worcester’s major youth-serving agencies. It provides quality out-of-school time programs to over 6,000 youth in the city.

The Summer Program includes arts and crafts, swimming, cooking, and weekly field trips, with free meals provided daily.

Food Security Initiatives

To address food insecurity, Friendly House operates multiple food pantries across Worcester. They offer regular monthly and emergency access to fresh produce, dairy, meat, and shelf-stable items.

Prepared child meals are delivered to youth-serving organizations throughout the city.

Social Services

The organization provides immediate and intensive individualized assistance with housing, immigration, translation services, access to benefits, form preparation, and notary public services.

They also offer free legal help by appointment.

Locations

Friendly House operates primarily in Worcester, Massachusetts, with two main facilities:

• 36 Wall Street, Worcester, MA 01604
• 70 James Street, Suite 139B, Worcester, MA 01603

Through its diverse programs and services, Friendly House, Inc. continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening the Worcester community. It empowers individuals and families to achieve stability and self-sufficiency.