The PAARtique is a (free) store located at PAAR’s Southside Office to help clients have more autonomy in obtaining items they need. Clients can “shop” for clothing, footwear, household items, personal hygiene products, shelf-stable food items, and much more! The PAAR-tique helps bridge the gap for our clients, so they can obtain the urgent items they need until they are able to connect with additional community resources and programs.
Anyone that is in need is allowed to benefit from the PAARtique. To request for services, please call the Project RISE Drop in Center and the PAARtique at 412-431-5665 X6 and ask for an available staff member for assistance.
The PAARtique is open during PAAR’s business hours:
Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
If you have any questions regarding the PAARtique,please e-mail Shayla Sojourner at shaylas@paar.net or call 412-431-5665 X1117.
More Resources Available Throughout our Communities
Allegheny County Housing Authority
412-355-8940
Public housing and Section 8 program information
Proud Haven
(412) 953-4666
Proud Haven provides a safe shelter for homeless LGBTQ+.
Women’s Center & Shelter (Allegheny Co.)
(412) 687-8005
ACTION-Housing Homeless Families Program
(412) 824-2444
Does not offer monetary rental assistance but helps people experiencing homelessness identify their options.
ARIA Familylinks
1-866-583-6003
Short-term rental assistance and case management services. A family member must be active with OCYF and have a history of substance use. Participants must either be at risk of losing custody of their children or are working towards reunification with their children. There must be a goal of recovery from substance abuse for every family referred. Must be referred by their OCYF case worker to the OCYF Mon Valley Resource Coordinator.
Emergency Shelter Allowance (ESA) – Allegheny
301 5th Avenue, Suite 470
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 | (412) 565-2146
Assistance to stop eviction/foreclosure or find places to stay.
Budget Mobile
(412) 727-6382
766 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Government assisted wireless services to low income subscribers. LifeLine discounts are available to qualified customers who meet certain eligibility requirements such as government assistance or a household income that is 135% – 150% below the federal poverty level. One per household and cannot
The $1 Energy Fund Grant Program assists utility customers with a $100-$500 grant applied directly to their utility bill. Customers must meet income and payment eligibility guidelines.
Must have applied for LIHEAP before you can receive Dollar Energy (if LIHEAP is open). Must apply through a screening agency –agency info is available on the Dollar Energy website.
Lifeline is a government benefit program that provides discounts on monthly telephone service for eligible low-income subscribers. Lifeline offers both wireless and land-line phone service, but only one service per household. To pre-screen or see providers (Safelink, Assurance, YourTel, etc.) in Pennsylvania, visit the website above.
Can be used to apply for any public assistance benefits you may qualify for, including SNAP benefits (food stamps), public health insurance, cash assistance, TANF, and more.
Offers resources for food, personal documents (like birth certificates and photo IDs), clothing, transportation, rent, and utilities. 2038 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
AVAC – Allegheny County
724-226-0606
Call to register first – 1913 Freeport Rd, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank works to ensure that anyone who needs a healthy meal can get one. Their Find Food Resource can figure out which resources are best for you, whether its weekly free groceries or monthly free boxes for seniors.
Free Store 15104
420 Braddock Ave Braddock, PA 15104
Store Hours: Tuesday 11:00–1:00, Thursday 11:00–1:00, Saturday 10:00–12:00.
Off The Floor
(412) 926-5053
Basic used furniture like beds, dressers, tables and chairs. Delivery available in some cases. 901 Allegheny Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15233.
Casa San Jose
(412) 343-3111
Community center & resource connection for Latino immigrants.
Immigrant services for those with limited English proficiency and/or cultural barriers in accessing services. Case management and bilingual assistance in accessing social services.
*ISAC is a six-agency partnership headed by JFCS (Casa San Jose, Greater Pgh Literary Council, Latino Family Center, Northern Area Multi-Service Center and South Hills Interfaith Ministries).
Birth Certificate Information for all of Pennsylvania
Division of Vital Records Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Chamber of Commerce Building Genealogy Department
411 7th Avenue 4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 565-5113
Death Certificate Information for all of Pennsylvania including Pittsburgh
Division of Vital Records Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
FamilyLinks offers a variety of services for homeless youth, not limited to:
– Youth Emergency Shelters (YES)
(412) 343-7166
Houses teens ages 13-18. Help includes: drug/alcohol and mental health counseling, medical assistance, schooling, case management, independent living skills, and acts as a liaison with CYF and the courts.
– FamilyLinks – Downtown Outreach Center and Shelter (DOCS)
1601 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Emergency shelter and transitional housing for homeless youth/young adults, up to age 21. DOCS provides: 3 meals a day plus a snack, clothing and transportation (as needed), on-site medical help, counseling, and referrals.
Three Rivers Youth – Transitional Housing Program
(412) 766-8456 or 1-855-TRY LOFT
Shelter, counseling, and skill development for homeless youth ages 16-21. CYF-supervised placements are not eligible.
Pittsburgh Job Corps Center
(412) 441-8700
Training for young adults ages 16-24 while earning a high school diploma or GED.
Criminal Records Expungement Project Offering help getting an expungement of any criminal record that is not a misdemeanor or felony plea or conviction. An expungement is an essential component of a name change. There is the possibility of a pardon available for those who have misdemeanors and felonies and they should still contact the program if that is impeding their name change.
127 Anderson Street, Suite 101 Timber Court Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (Also located in Washington, PA, Alliquippa, PA and Erie, PA)
Services available are comprehensive gay health care; culturally competent care, comprehensive transgender health care, HIV primary care, Hep C primary care, Mental Health Care, PrEP & PEP HIV Prophylaxis, Suboxone/Needle Exchange; Case Management (Medication & Pharmacy Coverage, Lab Testing, Healthcare Insurance, Housing Services)
Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation’s legal aid program was created to provide free, need-based civil legal aid services specifically tailored to the LGBTQ+ community in Southwestern Pennsylvania. We provide in-house assistance for cases involving identity document support, public benefits counseling, housing support, and civil expungement of criminal records. For cases outside our service areas, we also assist in connecting low-income LGBTQ+ and HIV+ people with free or discounted legal aid and other support services. Hugh’s Kitchen provides nourishment to our communities with necessities like food, hygiene products and safer sex kits. Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation also provides programming to LGBTQ+ youth, caregivers, parents, and families such as youth camps, mental and sexual health education, and affirming skills education.
PERSAD Center offers a variety of services for LGBTQ individuals. Services include: individual, family, and couple’s counseling; mental health and substance abuse treatment; psychological evaluations and medication management; youth programs; intimate abuse programs for those arrested during a domestic violence incident as well as victims; programs for older LGBTQ individuals; specific programs for transgender counseling and advocacy.
The Trevor Project
The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth ages 13-24. If you’re thinking about suicide, you deserve immediate help – please call the Trevor Lifeline at 866-488-7386.
Case management services, referrals, postpartum depression screening and referral, significant other support, breastfeeding support, and education on prenatal/postpartum care, childbirth education, diet, exercise and nutrition, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), smoking cessation, and substance abuse.
The Male Initiative Program (MIP): The primary goal of MIP is to assist fathers and other positive male role models to maintain involvement with their children and families through the promotion of parenting skills and peer program support.
Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania
(412) 434-8957
Reproductive health services in seven locations: Bridgeville, downtown Pittsburgh (x2), Greensburg, Johnstown, Moon Township, and Somerset. Health care provided includes: gynecological care, birth control, pregnancy testing and counseling, colposcopy and cryotherapy, pelvic and breast exams, screening and treatment for STDs, emergency contraception, counseling services, and abortion. Fees are on a sliding scale and most major insurance is accepted.
STD, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS testing and immunizations
Allegheny County Health Department Dental Program
Hill District ClinicMcKeesport Clinic Southside Clinic
1835 Center Avenue Wander Building Mt. Oliver Family Health Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15219 339 Fifth Avenue 1630 Arlington Avenue
(412) 392-4441 McKeesport, PA 15132 Pittsburgh, PA 15210
(412) 664-8858 (412) 432-1620
The clinic details described on the next page are the same for each location.
Hours: By appointment only
Services: Cleanings, fluoride treatments, dental health education, exams, fillings, sealants, extractions and space maintainers
Patient Eligibility: Allegheny County children, ages 1 to 20, who meet the financial guidelines. Accepts Medical Assistance. Contact the center for more information.
Fees: Free
Area Served: Allegheny County
Contact: Dr. Larry Kanterman, Dental Administrator, (412) 578-8378
Health Care for Homeless
(412) 244-4775
Healthcare for Homeless Pittsburgh provides: primary care, dental, vision, mental health care, substance abuse services, and pharmacy services. Health Care for Homeless can also provide case management as well as referral information for hospital services and assistance with housing and entitlement programs. They also have a prescription voucher program.
Prescription Voucher Program
Mon 9:00am – 4:00pm North Side (Pleasant Valley Shelter, 1601 Brighton Road)
Bring prescription and/or bottles. Bring past medical records or discharge reports only if available. They will not cover narcotics or gabapentin.
Walk-in appointments only
Locations will give you medicine on-site or provide voucher to Rite Aid
Doctors appointments available Monday and Wednesday afternoons
Center for Victims
(412) 664-7146 | 24/7 Hotline: 1-866- 644-2882
Emergency shelter and transitional housing for individuals fleeing a current domestic violence situation. Victims and their children are provided with a safe and supportive environment. Call for access to shelters, transitional housing, children’s counseling programs, sexual assault advocacy and medical assistance. Staff help the caller identify their needs and resources. Womensplace Shelter located in McKeesport, PA
National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-7233
Crisis intervention, safety planning, information about domestic violence and referrals to local service providers. Direct connection to domestic violence resources available in the caller’s area provided by a Hotline advocate.
Allows job seekers to create resumes and match their skills/experience with current job postings – and apply to those jobs online.
Pittsburgh Job Corps Center
(412) 441-8700
Career training for young adults ages 16-24 while earning a high school diploma or GED.
412 Youth Zone
(412) 902-4068
Youth ages 18-24 who are homeless or in CYF care. Coaches assist youth with life skills and provide supportive services including transition into an Independent Living program.
Three Rivers HUB
(412) 441-5020
Basic needs and drop-in center for homeless youth ages 18-21 (and ages 21-31 with a mental health diagnosis). Meet basic needs including food, clothing, housing and case management. Case management includes behavioral health, drug and alcohol treatment and employment services. 6117 Broad Street. Pittsburgh PA 15206.
Drop-in center providing recreation, socialization, entertainment, education, pre-employment training, job placement, peer support, and advocacy for consumers. Offers primary care service health clinics 2x week.
Free Store 15104
420 Braddock Ave Braddock, PA 15104
Store Hours: Tuesday 11:00–1:00, Thursday 11:00–1:00, Saturday 10:00–12:00.
Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community
412-481-4010
2700 Jane St. Pittsburgh, PA 15203.
Care Closet stocked with clothes, shoes, toiletries, and camping supplies to give to folks living outside.
Human Services Administration Organization – Reentry Program
(412) 884-4500
2801 Custer Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15227
Pre- and post-release services.
Pre-release services: job preparation, life skills, family support and relationship classes, GED preparation, Adult Basic Education, vocational education, housing preparation, drug and alcohol treatment, anger management, mentoring, connection with probation, and release planning.
Post-release services in the community include: housing and job placement; assistance with rent, food, and clothing; transportation; photo ID, medical and public assistance; family services; child care assistance; continuation of GED; drug and alcohol treatment; and mentoring.
Southwestern Pennsylvania Re-Entry Coalition
(412) 464-4000
305 East 8th Avenue Homestead, PA 15120-1517
Re-entry and workforce training for ex-offenders. Resources for individuals whose criminal record creates barriers to self-sufficiency and employment. Offers workshops on criminal record expungement and pardons.
Their mission is to remove inappropriate tattoos from visible areas of individuals who want to change after they may have been involved with gangs, spent time in jail, or who have made bad choices in their lives.
Tattoo Removal Locations: Ohio (Cleveland, Columbus), California (Alameda, Palm Springs, Bay Area), Indiana (New Albany), Kentucky (Elizabethtown), Washington (Renton), Canada (Ontario – Pickering)
Founded by trafficking survivor and formally branded woman, Jennifer Kempton, Survivor’s Ink offers full scholarships to survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation to have their branding tattoo’s covered or removed.
Eligibility Requirements:
The branding/tattoo (mark of violence) must be associated with the trafficker or received during your time of exploitation.
You must be a survivor of human trafficking- meaning you were employed with the sex industry as a result of force, fraud, coercion for ultimate gain of another; Please click here for more information.
You must be involved in a recovery process, addiction treatment or safety program for at least SIX months but preferably ONE year AND provide a referral letter from that agency.
Their Mission is to help encourage a promising future to those who have been reminded daily of their painful past. Provide services at little or no cost for those in need.
To apply, go to their website’s “Contact Us” tab and submit a request for services.
Office: 55 11th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (in the Greyhound Station)
Hours: Monday – Saturday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Provides transportation assistance to clients from programs such as Bethlehem Haven, Women’s Center & Shelter, Public Assistance, and Re-Entry. They also have a Stranded Traveler’s Program (e.g. clients wishing to return home from being displaced by trafficking).
Look up Allegheny County services and resources and option to filter by age, gender and service category.
Consumer Health Coalition
(412) 456-1877
Medicaid, Marketplace and CHIP health care enrollment assistance. 415 E Ohio St. Pittsburgh PA 15212.
CVS Pharmacies
Oakland: 3440 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15213
South Hills: 5242 Clariton Blvd. Pittsburgh PA 15301
Washington: 175 West Beaeu Street. Washington, PA 15301
City Pittsburgh & Allegheny County Police
9-1-1
Childline
1-800-932-0313
To report suspected abuse, trafficking and neglect. All child victims under the age of 18.
Children Youth & Families (CYF)
(412) 473-2000
To report suspected abuse, trafficking and neglect and for emergency assistance. All child victims under the age of 18.
In Allegheny County, police can take emergency custody of a child & call CYF (24/7) to find placement.
FBI Tip Line
(412) 432-4000
To report suspicious activity and crimes (24/7) in Western PA.
Hampton & Millvale Social Services Coordinators
The Millvale and Hampton communities are piloting a coordinated response between social workers and their police departments. Each department has a Social Services Coordinator who does two things.
They respond alongside other emergency personnel including police and EMS
They are available to the entire community (even those who are not involved with the police or have not made a report) – to provide case management and connection to resources like shelter, food, mental health, etc.
Alyssa Peters, MSW
Millvale Police Department – Social Services Coordinator
Hampton Township Police Department – Social Services Coordinator
Office: (412) 486-0400 ext. 1361
Cell: (412) 737-2902
Email: angela.kenbok@hampton-pa.org
Pet Resources
Humane Animal Rescue (HAR) Pet Helpline:
Contact our Pet Helpline at 412-345-0348 or email us at pethelpline@HumaneAnimalRescue.org. The Helpline is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Please leave us a voicemail and allow for up to 48 hours for a response. The Helpline can help with locating food, vet services, offer training advice, etc.
National hotline (24/7) based in Washington DC for resources and information regarding human trafficking. 200 languages available, connection to local resources and police report not required.
PAAR’s Language Line Account
1-888-808-9008
PIN#: 66459213
PAAR’s Yellow Cab/ Z-Trip Account
(412) 321-8100
ACCT#: 1155
Client provides voucher to driver OR the cab company can fax a bill to PAAR at (412)431-0913
Reunification or “Reconciliation” between AP and Victim
Chat is: Online
