Economic Survival 101: How do I find help in Hampton Roads?

Throughout Hampton Roads, an abundance of organizations and agencies offers help to those facing hard times amid the economic crisis.

STATE HELP

Social services

The Virginia Department of Social Services offers a variety of financial assistance programs to eligible residents of Virginia. Programs including temporary aid for needy families, food stamps, Medicaid and others are administered through local departments of social services.

- Chesapeake Department of Social Services, 100 Outlaw St., (757) 382-2000, www.cityofchesapeake. net/services/depart/humanser

- Norfolk Department of Human Services, 741 Monticello Ave., (757) 664-6000, www.norfolk.gov/humanservices

- Portsmouth Department of Social Services, 1701 High St., Suite 101, (757) 405-1800, www.portsmouthva.gov/socialservices

- Suffolk Department of Social Services, 440 Market St., (757) 514-7450

- Virginia Beach Department of Human Services, 3432 Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 342, (757) 437-3200, www.vbgov.com: Select "Social Services" in the "City Departments" pull-down menu.

LOWER-COST OR FREE MEDICAL CARE

Free clinics

The income eligibility for these clinics is 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which is about $41,300 for a family of four.

- Beach Health Clinic 3396 Holland Road, Suite 102, Virginia Beach, (757) 428-5601, www.beachhealthclinic.org

- Chesapeake Care, 2145 S. Military Hwy., Chesapeake, (757) 545-5700, www.chesapeakecare.org

- Western Tidewater Free Clinic, 3000 Godwin Blvd., Suffolk, (757) 923-1060, www.wtfreeclinic.org. Eligibility confirmation is by appointment only.

 Lower-cost care

These community care clinics charge based on a person's income.

- Park Place Medical Center, 3415 Granby St., Norfolk, (757) 533-9108

- Patient Advocate Foundation, 700 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Suite 200, Newport News, (800) 532-5274. The national nonprofit based in Newport News provides financial and other assistance to people trying to navigate the health care system.

- Portsmouth Community Health Center, 664 Lincoln St., Portsmouth, (757) 393-6363

- Federally funded health centers offer checkups, pregnancy care, immunization, dental care and prescription drugs for those who don't have health insurance. Patients pay what they can afford, based on income. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Web site helps you local the health centers nearest to you. Go to www.findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

FOOD

Feeding the hungry

- The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, 800 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, (757) 627-6599, www.foodbank online.org

 The Foodbank serves 500 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day care centers and rehabilitation centers - about 250,000 people - in southeastern Virginia. To find a food pantry that partners with the Foodbank, visit or call the facility.

When you provide your ZIP code, the workers will give you locations of pantries nearest to you, as well as hours of operation.

- Virginia Kids Eat Free Inc., 8206 Hampton Blvd., Suite 216, Norfolk, (757) 652-9942, www.vakidseatfree. com

- School lunches Free or subsidized meals are available based on income. Families must either apply or receive public assistance to qualify. Parents can apply through their children's schools.

FINDING WORK

Job access

The Virginia Employment Commission provides help getting jobs, with access to thousands of job listings. Go to www. vaemploy.com.

Job resources are also available at local offices:

- 5145 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk (757) 455-3960

- 504 Cedar Road, Chesapeake (757) 547-9717

Older workers

The AARP/WorkSearch Foundation helps people 55 and older find jobs. It also offers help with resumes, job applications and interview techniques.

(757) 625-7001.

UNDER A ROOF

Homes, shelters

- The Dwelling Place offers emergency shelter, (757) 624-9879

- Haven House emergency shelter, (757) 587-4202

- Our House Families emergency shelter, (757) 545-4075

- Virginia Housing Development Authority offers classes on homeownership. Call (877) VHDA-123 (843-2123).

- The Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team provides meals and shelter to homeless adults in winter months.

A coalition of churches provides overnight shelter on a rotating basis.

Transportation to the shelter is provided each evening from November to April at 741 Monticello Ave. in Norfolk. For details on church locations and operations, call (757) 622-2549.

HELP FOR THE MILITARY

Financial resources

These organizations provide emergency financial assistance, budget counseling, finance classes and other programs to service members and their families.

- Air Force Aid Society www.afas.org, Langley Air Force Base, (757) 764-3990

- Army Emergency Relief, www.aerhq.org.

Fort Monroe, (757) 788-4132

Fort Eustis, (757) 878-0903

- Coast Guard Mutual Assistance www.cgmahq.org

Chesapeake, (757) 523-6706

Norfolk, (757) 628-4488

- Fleet and Family Support Centers of Hampton Roads, www.ffscnorva. navy.mil

Little Creek, (757) 462-7563

Newport News, (757) 688-NAVY, (688-6289)

Norfolk, (757) 444-2102

Portsmouth, (757) 953-7801

Chesapeake, (757) 421-8770

Oceana, (757) 433-2912

Dam Neck, (757) 492-6342

- Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society www.nmcrs.org

Norfolk, (757) 322-3134

Oceana, (757) 433-3383

Portsmouth, (757) 953-5956

Little Creek, (757) 462-1596

- Operation Homefront, www.operation homefront.net

Hampton Roads, (757) 848-7766

OTHER AGENCIES

Covering a lot of bases

Here are a few of the many local agencies and organizations offering an array of services to people in need.

- Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia offers counseling on finances and budgeting, debt management and consumer issues. (757) 484-0703

- The Urban League of Hampton Roads gives classes to assist first-time homebuyers and to help homeowners keep their houses. It also offers training for job skills and help finding employment. Offices are at:

3225 High St., Portsmouth (757) 627-0864

Huntersville Neighborhood Service Center, 830 Goff St., Norfolk, (757) 226-7589

- The Judeo-Christian Outreach Center works to help homeless people rejoin society.

1053 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach (757) 491-2846

- Oasis Social Ministry operates a soup kitchen, pantry and thrift shop and a center assisting homeless people.

1020 High St., Portsmouth (757) 397-6060

- The Center for Hope and New Beginnings helps with career development, teaches financial skills and aids with housing and utilities.

400 Finney Ave., Suffolk, (757) 934-1353

- The Up Center offers financial counseling and advice to elderly people and to military service members.

222 W 19th St., Norfolk (757) 622-7017

- Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia provides services including meals for qualifying seniors and counseling for Medicare, Medicaid and long-term care insurance.

6350 Center Drive, No. 101, Norfolk (757) 461-9481

- The Jewish Family Service of Tidewater offers a food pantry, financial advice for elderly people and referral services.

260 Grayson Road, Virginia Beach (757) 321-2222

- The Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project provides services to help with employment, education, housing, emergency services and child care.

2551 Almeda Ave., Norfolk, (757) 858-1360

CONTRIBUTING

Help for others

Most of the organizations listed on this page welcome donations or time from those in a position to help.

- United Way of South Hampton Roads P.O. Box 41069, Norfolk, VA 23451-1069, https://www.donation-net.net/donate/gift1.cfm?dn=1006

- Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. To volunteer your time, call (757) 314-4559. If you wish to donate food, find drop-off sites at www. foodbankonline.org/drop_off_sites.html.

- The Salvation Army, Its Web site offers a number of ways to help. www. salvationarmyusa.org

- Habitat for Humanity, www.habitat.org/donation

Guide for giving

- To help you decide which charities to give to, the Better Business Bureau has formed the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, reporting on more than 1,100 organizations. Its reports are free.

- Charity Navigator, at www.charitynavigator.org, evaluates more than 5,000 of the largest charities, which account for 80 percent of giving in the United States.