DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF RESOURCES
For finding someone speaking the languages listed below,
telephone the numbers after the names.
Local people willing to speak to immigrants in their languages:
Portuguese:
Regina Abreu, Telefone: (978) 635-1471
(Favor de chamar depois de 18:00 horas.
Portugues
do Brasil. Todo os dias Sabado e Domingo)
Spanish (espanol):
Nellye Molina, Telefono: (978) 263-9802
(Me llama entre 18:00 y 21:00, por favor.)
Jeanie Furlan, 978 635-9209
(Jeanie speaks Spanish and
Portuguese)
Russian:
Alexander Berkovich, Telephone: (978) 263-7471
Korean:
Rev. David K. Lee Telephone: 413-253-5522
For information in English (also Spanish or Brazilian Portuguese)
call Carl Sletten, Telephone: (978) 263-7028.
See J1 to J4 for English language tutors and one-on-one help.
J2 Training Instructors and Teaching Literacy and ESL 1-781-395-2374
Eastern Massachusetts Literacy Council, Inc. 781-359-2374. See B13.
Location: 400 High St. Medford, MA 02155
Contact: Virginia Haskins, Acton Boxborough community Facilitator 978-263-0194.
Kind of Resource: Established in 1970, Eastern Mass Literacy Council, Inc. (EMLC)
is a volunteer based, nonprofit agency that provides free tutoring services for adults
who want to acquire basic literacy in the English Language.
Two basic tutoring services are offered: Adult Basic English (BE) assist native speakers of English
who want to improve their basic literacy skills. EMLC also serves English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
EMLC services twenty towns in which the students must either reside or work.
The Council is affiliated with Laubach Literacy Action,
the nation's largest volunteer literacy agency.
Each volunteer receives at least 18 hours of certified training.
EMLC is funded by grants, the Acton-Boxborough United Way,
and by donations from corporations and individuals.
Commonwealth Literacy Corps (508) 653-6098
J3 English as Second Language Schools 978-264-4700
Maynard Adult Learning Center 978-897-4203
ESOL at Conant and Douglas (Elementary Public) Schools
At R.J. Grey Junior High: call 978-264-4700.
A/B Regional High School telephone 978-264-4700.
DIAL (Directions in Adult Learning) (978) 263-6538
Assabet Valley, Marlboro 1-(508) 485-9430, ext. 429 or 467
Minuteman Tech Community Education office
J4 Recommended self-teaching aids (dual-language) and where to
buy.
Schoenhof's Foreign Books
English for Spanish Speaking: Living Language, $20,(see
Concord Bookshop, 978-369-2405
Living Language (series of language materials)
At Barnes and Noble choose books on the Web and
Video Cassettes (VCRs) for Spanish Speakers to learn English are
Tyndale's Adult Literacy Resource
Acton Memorial (Public) Library 978-264-9641
Citizens' Library 978-264-9652
Concord Free Public Library 978-318-3300
J5 Food and Clothing (free)
THE COMMUNITY SUPPER
ACTON FOOD PANTRY
Closet for the Needy (clothes) see E9 (furniture) 978-253-4305
Stork Support 978-486-9331
Self-Help and Resource Exchange (SERVE) 978-264-9643
J6 Medical and Dental Low-cost Help
Mass. Dental Society 1-(800)-342-8747 ext. 245
Boston University Dental School (617) 638-4700
Acton Medical Assoc. (978) 263-1131
Emerson Hospital (978) 369-1400
Financial Aid for medical bills. (South Acton Cong. Church)
J7 Legal aid, free or low-cost
SOUTH MIDDLESEX LEGAL SERVICES/ 1-(800)-696-1501
J8 Of General Interest to Immigrants Tel. 978-970-5000
LOWELL FOLK FESTIVAL
SOUTHEAST ASIAN WATER FESTIVAL ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF CULTURAL SHARING
J9 Automobile Driving Licenses for non-English Speaking
In Massachusetts call: 1-(800)-858-3926 9AM-7PM
Registry of Motor Vehicles (Mass.) Web-site:
J10 Special help for Salvadoran Refugees. CORES (Committee for
Refugees from El Salvador)
J11 Crisis Hotline
Acton Police, Emergency call 911
Boxborough Police, Emergency call 911
Crisis Team, Lexington 781 894-8440
J12 Employment Seeking
Jobs are available with little English skills in restaurants,
J13 Seeking Foreign Consulates
Telephone numbers for some area CONSULATES often used by immigrants:
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 20 Park Plaza, Boston, MA
EL SALVADOR East Boston, MA
HAITI 545 Boylston St. Boston, MA
US IMMIGRATION
J14 INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BOSTON
Location: Wayland Library, Wayland, MA
Suggested Contact: Sema Faigen, Tel. 508-653-6098
Kind of resource and cost: Trains Second Language tutors.
Generally course runs for about 15 hours, one night per week for
three hour sessions.Day course can be scheduled. Classes scheduled as
a group of volunteers are available. Cost approximately $20.00.
The Wayland LLibray Program is in association with the SABES
Contact: Karen Pervier, 978-897-4203
Kind of Service: English as Second Language for adults.
Classes are small and are held in the mornings, Tue.,Wed. and Fri. from 9 to 11 AM.
Classes also in evenings Mon./Wed or Tue./Thur. from 6 to 9 PM.
Free classes and placement at appropriate level.
Campuses in both Maynard and Hudson.
Contact Jeanie Furlan, Tel.978-266-2550 ext. 2059
(She speaks Spanish and Portuguese)
Elementary classes held at Douglas, Conant, and McCarthy School
in Acton. Tel. 978-263-2550. ext 2059
Ask for Academic Resource Center.
Ask for Lois Rosenfeld in Resource Room.
& 978-266-2525
Various locations. Contact Judy Ianelli.
Kind of Service: English as a second language with tuition
based Classes at Beginner, Intermediate,and Advanced levels.
Assabet Valley, Center for Continuing Education
Location: 215 Fitchburg Street
Marlboro, MA 01752-1288
Contact: Tel: 1-800 537-6663, 1-508-485-9430
Kind of Service: Offer three courses in English as Second
language at various levels, Each course cost $170.00 for
about 40 hours of lessons (10 weeks and 20 sessions)
classes Mon. and Wed. or Tue. and Thur.6:30-8:30.
First will determine the appropriate level.
(781) 861-7150
Location: 758 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA 02421
Contact: Call 978-861-7150 Teacher is John McCarthy.
Kind of Service: Public Technical/Vocational School.
Summer daytime ESL Classes cost $209.
address below). Barrons Via Rapida, $30, Hugos El Ingles
simplificada, $40.
All courses have cassettes with English.
Address: Schoenhof's Foreign Books
486 Green Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 Tel. (617) 547-8855
65 Main Street, Concord, MA
Store has English for Spanish speaking courses.
call 1-800-733-3000 or mail to address below.
(Schoenhof's also has some Living Language materials.)
English for Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese Speaking.
Self-teaching courses with cassettes, manual, and dictionary for
$25.00. Instructions in native languages. Dual language.
Address: Random House, Inc 400 Hahn Road
Dept. 012-01-1991, Westminster, MD 21157
search for "language courses" or "Living Language".
BARNES&NOBLE
available for about $150. Course is called AMERICAN ENGLISH, made
by Omega Generation, 6223 Richmond Ave. Houston,TX 77057, Tel.
(713) 784-9258. Very good, dual language.
Tyndale House Publishers
P.O. Box 80, Wheaton, IL 60189
Easy-to-read books for adults. Christian books and others.
Location: 486 Main Street, Center Acton
TDD Library, tel. 978-635-0072
Free to Acton residents. Books and tapes.
Foreign language books, large print books, copy machine,
computer listings, and internet access available.
Location: 21 Windsor Ave. West Acton, Tel. 978-264-9652
Public library. Many books and aids to students.
Location: 129 Main Street, Concord
Full service public library with more foreign language books.
Language tapes available on loan. Their Pimsleur tapes are
designed for Americans to learn foreign languages.
Hours 9AM-9PM MTWT, 9AM-6PM on Fridays, Saturdays 9AM-1PM.
Location: Acton Congregational Church.
12 Concord Road, Acton, MA
Suggested contact: Contact: Mike Tobia, 978-897-9881 or
Betty Craig, 978-263-2162
Services provided: Free dinner every Wed., 5:30 PM-6:45.
At 6:00, used clothes available. Just show up.
Location: 18 Windsor Avenue, Acton.
Contact: Mike Tobia, 978-897-9881 or
Betty Craig, 978-263-2162 for emergency situations.
Mailing address for ($)donations: Box 2098, Acton, MA 01720.
Same for Community Supper.
Services: Free bags of food for families Wed., 3-5:30 PM. Just show up.
Location: St. Elizabeth Church,
89 Arlington Street, Acton, MA
Suggested Contact: Barbara Smith, 978-263-4305
Kind of resource and cost: Church charity, free.
Services provided: Used clothes all year.
Location: Littleton Congregational Church,
330 King Street, Littleton, MA
Suggested Contact: Leave a message on tape.
Volunteers return calls but might take several days.
Kind of resource and cost: Clothing and furniture for
babies and young children. Free of charge.
Maternityclothes available too.
Location: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Center,
89 Arlington St. Acton
Suggested Contact: Barbara Winders, 978-264-9643 mornings
Kind of resource and cost: Obtain about $35 worth of
groceries monthly for $13 plus two hours of community
service volunteer work. Volunteer doing : scouts, library,
schools, baby sitting, elder chores, hospital, etc. Normally on
Saturday mornings monthly.
Location: 2 Wells St. Southboro, MA.
"Dentistry for All" Program
Write to: 2 Willow St. Southborough, MA 01745
for an application.Include stamped self-addressed envelope. With
application form there is income statement form. Forms must be
filled out and signed by a social worker, clergy, employer, or
other professional. Return forms to Mass. Dental Society.
Location: Boston, Albany St. South End.
Suggested Contact: telephone above number.
Kind of resource and cost: Dental students give services at
reduced rates. Cost abour 1/3 of standard charges. First
appointment requires x-rays and exam at $70. 3 to 4 week wait for
appointment.Harvard University and Tufts University Dental Schools
may have similar programs. Other dentists may give reduced rates
to needy people.
Location: 321 Main Street, Acton, MA
Suggested Contact: telephone above number
Kind of resource and cost: Full medical facilities with lab.
Services provided: Family medicine, pediatrics, 15 doctors and
many nurses. Charge regular prices. Maybe professional Courtesy
for very poor. Harvard Community Health HMO and others.
Location: On Route #2, Concord, MA
Contact: Business office: 978-287-3040
Next to cashier Main level office.
Services Provided: Program for income-eligible
people called FULL FREE
CARE and PARTIAL FREE CARE. Check with office for income-eligibility rates and
possible PARTIAL FREE CARE. Applications must be
made with proof of income from employer documents.
Rates are subject to change. Hospital also has a
HEALTHY START maternity support program.
Rates are subject to change.
Hospital also has a HEALTHY START maternity support program.
978-263-2332
Some churches have special funds for local emergencies.
There is also a fund called "Friends in Need"
For information about the "Friend in Need Fund" call
South Acton Cong. Church. For general information about
church and other funds, call Carol Lake 978-263-7635. Town of
Acton Memorial Funds: Betsy Ball, Whitney, Tuttle.
Location:354 Waverly St., Framingham1
Kind of Service: Free or low cost legal help.
Telephone to find out if you are income-eligible.
They help with civil case, not criminal or
consumer cases.) Get help with housing problems,
utilities, special education, government benefits such as
social security, SSI, unemployment problems. For people over
60 years of age they help with nursing home problems, elder
abuse, healthcare issues, and defense of guardianship/conservator cases.
Serve Acton, Bedford,Carlisle, Maynard, Lincoln, Stow, and Sudbury.
Uncontested divorces, wills and bankruptcies are referred to members of the
private bar who have agree to handle two cases per year.
Located in Lowell, Mass. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE,
Lowell National Historical Park.
67 Kirk Street and 1607 Merrimack Street.
This Festival is an annual event, generally in late July,
attracting thousands of people of many nationalities.
The program lasts for several
days and features ethnic music and foods,arts and crafts, and special presentations.
Opportunity to meet people from many countries and enjoy different cultures.
Location: Heritage State Park, Lowell, MA and Merrimack River
Takes place in August annually.
Thousands of Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese Americans attend.
Location: Acton. Sponsored by ABIL and Acton Community Education.
Contact: Selma Garber 978-263-5064. Held in early February. Ethnic food and entertainment.
Family affair, admission free.
Wait on line for operator or use dial tone instructions.
Written examinations for driver's licenses can be taken in
different languages. Road tests given only in English.
MOTOR VEHICLES
Address: 343 Medford St., Somerville, MA 02144.
This is an office dedicated to helping immigrants from El Salvador and from Guatemala.
Telephone: 1-(617)-623-5322
365 Main Street, Acton. Non-emergencies/Business,978-263-2911
Acton Fire, Ambulance, medical emergencies only 911
Non-emergencies, 978 263-2628
for Mental Health emergencies
Fast Food places, nursing homes, house cleaning, babysitting, etc.
Ask ABIL or Churches for help.
Try A9 and A14
BRAZIL address: 20 Park Plaza, Suite 810, Boston, MA.
Tel. 617-542-4000
Tel. 617-482-8121
Tel. 617-567-8484
Tel 617-266-3660
J. F. Kennedy Federal Building
US INS Boston District Office
Government Center, Boston, MA 02203
For US Immigration customer service or for forms,
Telephone 1-800-375-5283 or Web-site address:
617-695-9990
One Milk Street, Boston, 02109
Contact: Westy Egmont, Director
Founded in Lowell in 1924. Location also in Manchester, New Hampshire: 603-647-1500.
IIB is an affiliate of Immigrant and Refugee Services of America (IRSA), the largest
non-sectarian network of immigrant and refugee resettlement service providers in the U.S.
IIB is also a United Way organization and an equal opportunity service provider.
Services provided: Refugee Resettlement, English-as-a-Second-Language, Health Services,
Employment & Training, Social Services, Immigration Legal Aid, Citizenship Community,
Orientation and Outreach.Email: beacon@iiboston.org
Due to overwhelming demand for services,they are unable to answer
or reply to any legal questions over email. Web site: www.iiboston.org INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE