Call 3-1-1 or tweet Philly311 for direct access to city government information, services and real-time service updates. Multiple languages are available.
The Philadelphia Access Center’s compassionate social service case coordinators meet with guests one-on-one to work through whatever issues they are facing. Information, referrals and advocacy are available for a multitude of resources, including (but not limited to) food, clothing, emergency shelter, housing, substance abuse, children’s resources, senior programs, public assistance and many others.
2-1-1 Southeast PA and New Jersey 2-1-1 are call centers that provide telephone, chat, text and web resources for finding health and human services for everyday needs and crisis situations. Visit online or call 2-1-1.
Foster Club, the national network for young people in foster care.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia provide a variety of services to youth including preschool, after-school and teen programming.
Find out-of-school care with After School Activities Partnership’s directory of before-school, after-school, summer and weekend programs.
The Philadelphia Citywide Out-of-School Time Initiative offers programming for youth before school, after school, on weekends, during holidays and during the summer.
Find free and affordable family-friendly things to do in Philadelphia via the city’s Parks and Recreation department.
Search your area for summer camps using this handy map from Philly Parks & Rec.
WorkReady Philadelphia offers programs that address the skills gap for vulnerable young people. Youth can apply for summer jobs through the program.
Project U-Turn aims to increase the graduation rate and prepare young people for future opportunities. They offer Multiple Pathways to Graduation programs.
GSK Science in the Summer is a fun and free science education program for students entering grades 2 to 6! All classes are taught by certified teachers and are offered in library systems in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Students must register online prior to attending.
Get free meals for kids and teens in the summer through the Coalition Against Hunger.
Playstreets provides a safe, fun place for Philadelphia’s children to play each summer. To be considered for Playstreets, your block must:
- Assign a block resident as the Playstreet supervisor.
- Not be within two blocks of another approved Playstreet, playground, or rec center.
- Be a small, one-way street. No numbered street will be considered unless it is a dead end.
- Have 75 percent of residents on the block sign the petition agreeing to a Playstreet.
You must fill out an application to be considered for Playstreets status. All applications must go through an approval process before a Playstreets permit is issued.
To get an application for Playstreets, call (215) 685-2719 or (215) 685-2720.
Get resources about public schools and libraries, early childhood education and continuing education in Philadelphia.
Check out the events calendar for Philadelphia’s parks system.
Find information to help you get around the city, pay tickets, deal with a towed car and sign up for the bike share program.
Public health resources, programs and notifications for Philadelphia residents.
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Environmental health
- Sexual health
- Health care support
- Elderly support
- Safety concerns
- Etc.
Find programs and resources for people becoming citizens, and members of minority groups.
- Disabled parking permits
- Become a U.S. citizen
- Discrimination
- Learn English
- LGBT community services
- Find or register a minority, woman or disabled-owned business
- Etc.
The Center for Autism provides treatment through which it teaches individuals how to communicate and build relationships with significant people in their lives and learn the skills necessary to succeed on their own.
Valley Youth House has over 250 residential sites throughout Pennsylvania that ensure vulnerable, abused and homeless youth have access to shelter and counseling. But their services go way beyond providing shelter. Valley Youth House offers responsive programming built to fit the needs of each young person they work with, each providing youth with meaningful support, skills and strength.
Mazzoni Center provides quality comprehensive health and wellness services in an LGBTQ-focused environment, while improving the quality of life and preserving the dignity of the individuals they serve. Services include but are not limited to primary medical care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment services, legal services, HIV prevention and care and youth support in schools.
For information on the impact of trauma on children, visit the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
Addiction Center: Information for those battling substance abuse and mental health issues simultaneously. Forty-five percent of people with an addiction also have a co-occurring mental health disorder. The Addiction Center provides free online information for people with a dual diagnosis to support them on their path to recovery.