These are tough times for lots of folks, so the best adoption agency in Texas, Abrazo, put together a list of places to get free help in Texas, for anyone in need.
Finding Free Help in Texas
Start with calling 2-1-1 or looking up the 211texas website, through which the Texas Health & Human Services Commission helps direct those who need to find resources for food, health, housing and more, all across the Lone Star State.
Those who need cash assistance can apply for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) to get help for basic living needs. This is an income-based probram for families with children ages 18 and younger
If medical care is a necessity, you can apply for Texas Medicaid (or CHIP or Medicare) online.
To find food banks across the state, look up Feeding Texas.
Anyone needing to make a private placement plan for a baby, toddler or child/ren anywhere across Texas can call 1-800-454-5683 or visit abrazo.org/pregnant-placing to get free adoption help through Abrazo. Our agency does offer housing assistance, grocery and clothing allowance, medical care, counseling and transportation to appointments at no cost for expectant mothers making adoption plans here.
Need Free Help in San Antonio?
For those in need of free help in Texas who are living in San Antonio, here are some additional resources:
Abrazo always offers free counseling for individuals, couples and families as a community service. This is separate from our adoption program; just call 210/342-5683 and ask for Andrea to get an appointment in person or via Zoom.
Free pregnancy testing is available at Life Choices, A Woman’s Haven or Any Woman Can.
The Texas Diaper Bank provides free diapers and wipes for babies through 3 year olds, menstrual supplies and incontinence supplies for seniors. Call 210-731-8118.
If housing is an issue and free shelter is needed, San Antonio offers help through Haven for Hope, Metropolitan Ministries, or Salvation Army.
Free sack lunches, homeless showers and hygiene kids, and ID assistance is available through Christian Assistance Ministries.
Those who need free clothing can contact the Free Clothing Thrift Store at 631 Utopia Lane (210/333-4947.) Free food is distributed through the San Antonio Food Bank (210-337-3663.)
Free daycare is hard to find, but to learn more about child care subsidies, after-school care or emergency child care services, contact COSA Childcare Assistance.
Single parents with a verified need for transportation who can afford to buy and maintain car insurance may find help securing transportation via a small nonprofit organization called Driving Single Parents.
Anyone in need of mental health services detox or crisis intervention, contact the Center for Healthcare Services (crisis helpline: 210/223-7233.)
Great Needs, Everywhere
If you live in Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, El Paso, Austin or San Antonio, you may have plenty of places near you that offer free help in Texas. If you’re in Conroe or Cuero or Brownwood or Denton or Wichita Falls or Killeen or Corpus Christi or the Rio Grande Valley, it may take more of a search. You’re not alone, though. (Call Abrazo if we can help in any way.)
These days, with the government cuts, it’s getting harder and harder to find help, especially in smaller towns, remote areas, and rural communities across Texas. Many churches and civic groups are getting overwhelmed with requests for help, but local resources can sometimes be best. (Just remember to pay it forward, once you’re back on your feet.)
If you need free help in Texas or beyond and aren’t finding what you need here, another resource might be FindHelp.com, which assists in connecting people across America connect with social service programs all across the country.
