Baytul Aamaanah Resource Centre

Agency: Aid to Incarcerated Mothers (AIM)
Address: 434 Massachusetts Ave., Suite 503, (corner of Columbus Ave.), Boston MA 02118
Telephone: 617-536-0058
Toll free: 1-888-246-4302
Who to call: Chantilly Hill or Jean Fox, Executive Director
Fax: 617-536-0279
e-mail: Jean Fox: jfox9@msn.com
web site: www.aim-mass.org

Services:
AIM's particular focus is on mothers with children who have had trouble with the criminal justice system. It provides comprehensive clinical, legal advocacy and other support services to women in and out of prison, including the following:

• Individual one-on-one therapy and counseling;
• Psychological assessments and psychopharmacology;
• Legal training for ex-offending women on DSS and legal issues around domestic violence/sexual assault and family law;
• Referrals to other agencies for assistance with housing and areas of particular importance to women with children;
• Support services and emergency assistance for basic necessities;
• Support groups or classes on Parenting, Anger Management, Self-esteem Re-inforcement, and Relapse Prevention.

AIM provides a continuum of involvement with women prisoners and, often, their children: AIM staff present Legal Workshops on Child Custody and Visitation at MCI-Framingham and South Middlesex Correctional Center. AIM is currently operating a child visitation program at South Middlesex Correctional Center in Framingham.

AIM also presents a Parenting Course at the Suffolk County Women's Resource Center and, in collaboration with ABCD, a similar course at South Bay.

AIM also presents a Parenting Course at the Suffolk County Women's Resource Center and, in collaboration with ABCD, a similar course at South Bay that deals with anger management and other issues and includes recruitment to ESSER -- Employment Services to Support Ex-Offender Re-Integration -- a job training and placement program for women offenders. Call Cherie Milton at 617-536-0058, x 104, for more information and requirements for admission.

In collaboration with Educational Development Corporation AIM recruits, trains and supervises adult mentors for children of mothers in prison. CAMP - Children and Mentors Partnership -- matches adult mentors with children of incarcerated parents

When are they open? M - F: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Intakes of new clients are done on Mondays. Call 617-536-0058 for appointment. 24-hour Hot Line for emergencies: 1-888-246-4302.

Does it cost? No.

Target population: women who have had trouble with criminal justice system.

Agency: Travelers Aid
Address: 17 East St., Boston MA 02111
Telephone: 617-542-7286, x238
Who to call: Emergency Services
Fax: 617-542-9545
web site: www.taboston.org

Services:
Transportation Assistance Program: helps families and individuals move out of Massachusetts with one-way transportation provided the destination is verified. Travelers Aid also may help to link families and individuals in transition with transportation within New England or to New York City. Call for more information.

For information on Emergency Shelter, see "Women and Families Resource List" following this section.

Restrictions: Must have verifiable place to go for safe shelter/housing.

Public transportation: Red line, South Station stop.

Agency: Women's Lunch Place
Address: 67 Newbury St., Boston MA 02116 (Church of the Covenant, basement, corner of Newbury and Berkeley
Telephone: 617-267-1722, x31
Who to Call: Resource Center Co-ordinator
Fax: 617-267-6803
e-mail: tara@womenslunchplace.org
web site: www.womenslunchplace.org

Services:
The Women's Lunch Place provides resources for women and children who are homeless and poor, in a safe, comfortable daytime place. The services are provided in the spirit of respect and friendship, fostering a community committed to meeting women's needs as they themselves define them.

Services provided include:

• Food: Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and lunch from 12 noon to 2 p.m. from M - Sat
• Basic necessities: showers, laundry facilities, Nap Room - open all day.
• Resources: medical assistance and referral lists.
• Connections: telephones, internet access, mail, Fax, Xerox, office supplies.
• Advocacy: assistance with housing, employment and legal assistance in areas such as child custody, divorce, bankruptcy, evictions, immigration issues. Associated with Women's Bar Association and private law firm.

When are they open: M - Sat: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Open holidays.

Does it cost? No.

Restrictions: open only to women and children. Walk-ins are encouraged.