⚠️ This is a research tool, not a live database — verify directly with any organization before making a trip. Spotted an error? nyc@lifelinesites.com — updates are batched when possible.
NYC · Long Island · Hudson Valley · NJ · CT
Help is here, right now.
A free directory of organizations offering shelter, food, healthcare, mental health, legal aid, and more — across the New York City metro area, from the five boroughs to Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Northern New Jersey, and Southwestern Connecticut.
400+ verified organizations across NYC, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Northern New Jersey, and Southwestern Connecticut. If you need help right now, dial 988, NYC Well, or 211.
No matches — try different words or call 311 (NYC) or 211 (NJ/CT).
Resources Map
Tri-state metro locations — click any pin for details
Crisis Lines & Hotlines
Free, confidential support. You don't have to be in immediate danger to call.
🔴 Crisis lines
📞 Scheduled lines
Not sure who to call?
In NYC, dial 3-1-1 for any city service or shelter intake — available in 175+ languages. Outside NYC, dial 2-1-1 in NJ or CT for the same kind of unified social-services line. For mental health crisis support specifically, 988 works anywhere in the US, and NYC Well at (888) NYC-WELL covers all five boroughs in 200+ languages.
Emergency Guide
Step-by-step guides for the most common situations. If you're unsure what to do, in NYC start with 311; in NJ or CT start with 211.
🏠 I need shelter tonight
1
NYC: Call 311 first
NYC's 311 connects directly to the city's Department of Homeless Services. They can direct single adults to the appropriate intake center and families to PATH (Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing) at 151 East 151st St in the Bronx.
2
Walk-in intake centers (NYC)
Single men: 30th Street Men's Intake, 400 East 30th St, Manhattan. Single women: HELP Women's Intake, 116 Williams Ave, Brooklyn. Families with children: PATH (151 East 151st St, Bronx). Families without children: AFIC (151 East 151st St, Bronx).
3
Outside NYC
Long Island: call Nassau or Suffolk Department of Social Services. Hudson Valley / NJ / CT: dial 211 — they have real-time shelter availability and can coordinate transport. NJ specifically: NJ 211 also handles emergency shelter intake.
4
Domestic violence — different system
If you're fleeing violence, do NOT use general shelter intake. Call the NYC DV Hotline: (800) 621-HOPE / (800) 621-4673. They route survivors to confidential DV-specific shelter, separate from the general shelter system.
🍽️ I need food right now
1
Find any nearby pantry — Food Bank For NYC
Call (866) 888-8777 or visit foodbanknyc.org/get-food. Their map shows every soup kitchen, pantry, and meal program in the five boroughs — most require no ID and no proof of income.
2
Same-day hot meals (NYC)
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen (296 9th Ave, Manhattan) — free hot lunch Mon–Fri, no questions asked, one of the largest in the US. The Bowery Mission (227 Bowery) — free meals daily plus shelter. Catholic Worker St. Joseph House (36 E 1st St) — soup line several times a week.
3
Apply for SNAP (food stamps)
NYC: ACCESS HRA at access.nyc.gov or call (718) 557-1399 — emergency SNAP can be issued within 7 days if you qualify. NJ: njhelps.org. CT: 211ct.org. Long Island: through county Department of Social Services.
4
Tri-state food banks
City Harvest (NYC) rescues food and partners with 400+ community programs — find locations at cityharvest.org. Long Island Cares: licares.org. NJ: cfbnj.org. CT: ctfoodbank.org. All are free.
🧠 I'm in mental health crisis
1
Call or text 988
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — free and confidential. You do not have to be suicidal to call. Any mental health distress qualifies.
2
NYC Well — NYC mental health line
Call (888) NYC-WELL / (888) 692-9355, text WELL to 65173, or chat at nycwellbeing.org. Available in 200+ languages. They can dispatch mobile crisis teams — non-police mental health responders — directly to your location.
Walk-in psychiatric emergency rooms at major NYC hospitals: Bellevue (462 1st Ave), Kings County (451 Clarkson Ave), Lincoln (234 E 149th St), Elmhurst (79-01 Broadway), and others. They cannot turn anyone away.
4
Outside NYC
NJ: NJ MentalHealthCares — (866) 202-HELP. CT: 211 mental health line, also Mobile Crisis services in every region. Hudson Valley: county-specific crisis lines, all reachable through 211 or 988.
⚖️ I'm facing eviction
1
Do not ignore the notice
You have legal rights and time. NYC has Right to Counsel — free legal representation in housing court for low-income tenants. Even a 14-day notice doesn't mean you have to leave in 14 days.
2
NYC: Call Housing Court Answers
(212) 962-4795 — free advice and help understanding court papers. Or call Legal Aid Society at (212) 577-3300, or NYC's Right to Counsel hotline at 311 (ask for Right to Counsel). All free for income-eligible tenants.
3
Apply for emergency rent help
NYC: HRA's One Shot Deal (apply through ACCESS HRA online or any HRA office). NJ: DCAid at nj.gov/dca. CT: Operation Fuel at operationfuel.org and 211 referrals. Catholic Charities and Salvation Army across all regions also have rent assistance funds.
4
Attend your court date
Even if you think you'll lose, attending court gives you more time and options. Missing court means automatic loss (default judgment). Free attorneys can accompany you or prepare you in advance — but only if you contact them BEFORE the court date.
📄 I lost my ID / documents
1
NYC IDNYC — free city ID
Free municipal ID accepted by NYC agencies, libraries, and many banks. No immigration documents required. Apply at any IDNYC enrollment center — locations and required documents at nyc.gov/idnyc.
2
State ID or driver's license
NY: DMV offices throughout NYC and surrounding counties. Reduced-fee state IDs available for people experiencing homelessness — bring a letter from a shelter or social service agency. NJ: njmvc.gov. CT: ct.gov/dmv.
3
Birth certificate & Social Security card
NYC birth certificates: NYC Department of Health, online or at 125 Worth St. NY State (outside NYC): health.ny.gov. Social Security card replacement at any SSA office — bring whatever ID you have, even expired.
Saved resources
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About this directory
NYC Lifeline is a free community resource directory covering the New York City tri-state metro area — the five boroughs, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Northern New Jersey, and Southwestern Connecticut.
No sign-up. No ads. No data collected. Works offline after first load. 400+ organizations across the tri-state metro.
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Real map
Leaflet-powered map with pins, popups, and one-tap directions
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Mobile-first
Tap phone numbers to call directly. Responsive on all devices
🖨️
Printable
Print button produces a clean handout for outreach work
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Persistent saves
Bookmarked resources saved to your browser across sessions
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Emergency guide
Step-by-step guides for common crisis situations
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No tracking
Zero analytics, zero cookies beyond your own saved resources
Get in touch
To suggest a new resource, report outdated information, or for any other inquiry: nyc@lifelinesites.com
When suggesting a resource, include the organization name, address, phone number, and a brief description of services offered. All submissions are reviewed before being added.
⚠️ This inbox is not monitored for emergencies. If you need immediate help, call 988 or NYC Well at (888) NYC-WELL.
Created by
NYC Lifeline was researched, designed, and built by Eric Granger of Portland, Oregon — with the goal of helping others.
Fastest way to get help
Inside NYC: dial 3-1-1 for any city service, including shelter intake, in 175+ languages. For mental health, NYC Well at (888) NYC-WELL.
Outside NYC: dial 2-1-1 for the same kind of unified social-services line in NJ, CT, and Long Island/Hudson Valley.
For suicide or mental health crisis anywhere in the US: 9-8-8.
Region coverage
🟡 NYC (5 Boroughs) — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island
🔵 Long Island — Nassau & Suffolk Counties
🟣 Hudson Valley — Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess
🟠 Northern NJ — Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Passaic, Union, Middlesex, Morris
🟢 SW Connecticut — Fairfield County (Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, Greenwich)
For social workers & outreach
Use the Print button on the Resources page for a clean formatted handout. To suggest a new resource or report outdated information, email nyc@lifelinesites.com.
Information accuracy
This directory is for reference only — always verify directly with each organization before visiting. Found an error or know of a missing resource? Email nyc@lifelinesites.com and we'll update it.
NYC Lifeline
Crisis numbers — keep this card with you
Suicide & crisis line9-8-8
NYC Well — mental health(888) NYC-WELL
NYC services & shelter3-1-1
NJ & CT all services2-1-1
Domestic violence(800) 799-7233
NYC Domestic Violence(800) 621-HOPE
Veterans crisis988 press 1
Immediate danger9-1-1
What do you need most?
Select the option that best describes your situation right now. We'll show you the closest resources immediately.
