Need Help Now?
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
911 — EMERGENCY
Police, fire, ambulance, or immediate danger.
211 — COMMUNITY RESOURCES
24/7 connection to shelter, food, housing, benefits, transportation, and other local services. Multilingual assistance available.
988 — SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
Call or text 988 for suicide, mental health, or emotional crisis support.
Not sure where to start? Call 211 for help finding the right local service.
Find Support by Category
Domestic Violence & Safety
CORA — Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse
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24-Hour Hotline: 800-300-1080
Provides 24/7 crisis intervention, safety planning, counseling, emergency and transitional housing, and legal assistance. Its main San Mateo office accepts walk-ins Monday through Friday, 9 AM–5 PM, and it also has satellite services in East Palo Alto and Half Moon Bay.
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
​24/7 Confidential Support
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Provides confidential support for people experiencing domestic violence, as well as concerned friends and family. Trained advocates can assist with safety planning, crisis support, identifying local resources, and connecting individuals with shelters and other services.
Available: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Call: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text: START to 88788
Online: thehotline.org
BAY AREA LEGAL AID
​Domestic Violence Legal Assistance
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Provides free legal assistance to eligible low-income survivors of domestic violence in San Mateo County. Services may include help with restraining orders, divorce or legal separation, child and spousal support, custody and visitation, housing matters, and other civil legal issues.
Legal Advice Line: 800-551-5554
Domestic Violence Hotline: 888-330-1940
Services: Family law, restraining orders, custody, support, housing, and survivor legal advocacy
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: baylegal.org
211 SAN MATEO COUNTY
​Community Resource & Crisis Navigation
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Connects San Mateo County residents with local services including emergency shelter, housing assistance, food, healthcare, transportation, benefits, and other essential community resources. A trained specialist can help identify appropriate services based on an individual's situation.
Call: 211
Text: Your ZIP code to 898211
Services: Shelter referrals, housing, food, benefits, healthcare, transportation, and community resources
Service Area: San Mateo County
Availability: Call 211 for current services and availability
LIFEMOVES
​Emergency & Interim Housing Support
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Provides interim housing and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. LifeMoves operates multiple programs in San Mateo County and provides case management and connections to resources designed to help individuals and families move toward stable housing.
Access Services: Call 211
Services: Interim housing, shelter, case management, housing navigation, and supportive services
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: lifemoves.org
COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES IN EAST PALO ALTO
​Legal Advocacy & Assistance
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Provides free or low-cost legal services to eligible individuals and families, including assistance with housing, immigration, workers' rights, and other legal matters. Immigration services may include support involving U visas and Violence Against Women Act protections.
Phone: 650-326-6440
Services: Immigration, housing, workers' rights, and legal advocacy
Location: 1861 Bay Road, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: clsepa.org
Shelter & Housing Support
SAMARITAN HOUSE
​Emergency Shelter & Housing Support
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Provides emergency and interim shelter, homelessness prevention, housing assistance, meals, healthcare, case management, and other supportive services for individuals and families experiencing housing instability or homelessness.
Client Services: 650-347-3648
Services: Emergency shelter, housing assistance, rental and utility assistance, case management, meals, healthcare, and supportive services
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: samaritanhousesanmateo.org
LIFEMOVES
​Interim Housing & Homelessness Services
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Provides interim housing and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Programs include shelter, case management, housing navigation, employment support, and connections to community resources designed to help residents transition toward stable housing.
Shelter Access: Call 211
Services: Interim housing, shelter, case management, housing navigation, and supportive services
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: lifemoves.org
STARVISTA — YOUR HOUSE SOUTH
​Youth & Family Emergency Shelter
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Provides short-term emergency shelter and supportive services for youth experiencing family conflict, housing instability, or other crises. Services are designed to provide a safe environment while helping youth and families work toward stability and reunification when appropriate.
Crisis Hotline: 650-579-0350
Services: Emergency youth shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, family support, and referrals
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: https://www.hifinfo.org/starvista-your-house-south/
SAN MATEO COUNTY CORE SERVICE AGENCIES
​Emergency Housing & Safety-Net Assistance
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A countywide network of community agencies that helps residents access emergency housing and shelter assistance, food, rental and utility assistance, transportation support, and other essential services. Residents are connected with the Core Service Agency serving their geographic area.
Information & Referrals: Call 211
Services: Emergency shelter and housing assistance, food, utilities, transportation, financial assistance, and community referrals
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: smcgov.org/hsa/core-service-agencies-emergency-safety-net-assistance
Food & Basic Needs
SECOND HARVEST OF SILICON VALLEY
​Free Groceries & Food Assistance
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Connects San Mateo County residents with free groceries and food distribution programs through a network of community partners and neighborhood food sites. Food Connection specialists can help individuals and families locate nearby food resources.
Food Connection: 800-984-3663
Services: Free groceries, food distribution locations, food-resource referrals, and assistance finding local food programs
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: shfb.org/get-food
SAMARITAN HOUSE
​Food & Basic Needs Assistance
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Provides food and other essential services for San Mateo County residents experiencing financial hardship. Food programs include groceries, prepared meals, pantry services, and additional assistance designed to help individuals and families meet essential needs.
Client Services: 650-347-3648
Services: Groceries, prepared meals, food pantry services, clothing, healthcare, housing assistance, and other basic-needs support
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: samaritanhousesanmateo.org
CALFRESH — SAN MATEO COUNTY
​Food Benefits & Application Assistance
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CalFresh provides eligible individuals and families with monthly benefits that can be used to purchase food. San Mateo County Human Services Agency provides information about eligibility, applications, and assistance accessing food benefits.
Services: CalFresh applications, eligibility assistance, food benefits, and public-benefit support
Service Area: San Mateo County
Apply Online: benefitscal.com
Information: smcgov.org/hsa/food-assistance
Mental Health & Substance Use
SAN MATEO COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & RECOVERY SERVICES
​Mental Health & Substance Use Services
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Connects San Mateo County residents with mental health and substance use services. The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Access Call Center can help individuals and families identify appropriate treatment and connect with available county programs and providers.
Access Call Center: 800-686-0101
Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Services: Mental health and substance use assessment, treatment referrals, service navigation, and behavioral health support
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: smchealth.org/bhrs
SAN MATEO COUNTY CRISIS SERVICES
​24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support
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Provides immediate support for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. Trained professionals can assess the situation, provide crisis intervention, and when appropriate, connect individuals with the county's Mobile Crisis Response Team for in-person support.
24-Hour Crisis Line: 650-579-0350
Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Services: Crisis assessment, emotional support, crisis intervention, mobile crisis response, and connections to behavioral health services
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: smchealth.org/crisis-services
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
​24/7 Crisis & Emotional Support
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Provides free and confidential support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, mental health concerns, or substance use crises. Trained crisis counselors are available by phone or text.
Call or Text: 988
Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Services: Suicide prevention, mental health crisis support, emotional support, substance use crisis support, and connections to additional resources
Online: 988lifeline.org
Child & Elder Support
SAN MATEO COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
​Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting
Receives reports of suspected child abuse or neglect involving children in San Mateo County. Child Protective Services assesses reports involving concerns about a child's safety and may investigate and connect children and families with appropriate protective and supportive services.
Child Abuse Hotline: 650-802-7922 or 800-632-4615
Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Services: Child abuse and neglect reporting, safety assessment, investigation, and connections to supportive services
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: smcgov.org/hsa
SAN MATEO COUNTY AGING & ADULT SERVICES
​Elder & Vulnerable Adult Safety
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Provides assistance for concerns involving older adults and dependent adults, including suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other threats to their safety and well-being. The TIES Line serves as the primary entry point for reporting concerns and connecting individuals with Adult Protective Services and other appropriate resources.
24-Hour TIES Line: 800-675-8437
Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Services: Elder and dependent-adult abuse reporting, Adult Protective Services, safety assessment, information, and connections to supportive resources
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: smcgov.org/aas
Sexual Assault & Legal Support
RAPE TRAUMA SERVICES
​Sexual Assault & Violence Support
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Provides confidential support for survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and other forms of violence. Services include crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, and support for survivors and their loved ones.
24-Hour Crisis Line: 650-692-7273
Services: Sexual assault crisis support, counseling, advocacy, survivor support, and community education
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: rapetraumaservices.org
RAINN — NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE
​24/7 Sexual Assault Support
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Provides free, confidential support for survivors of sexual assault and sexual violence, as well as concerned friends and family. Trained support specialists provide emotional support, information, and connections to local services and resources.
24-Hour Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Text: HOPE to 64673
Availability: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Services: Crisis support, survivor resources, recovery information, and referrals to local services
Online: rainn.org/hotline
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SAN MATEO COUNTY
​Civil Legal Assistance & Advocacy
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Provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income San Mateo County residents. Services may include assistance with housing, public benefits, healthcare access, elder issues, domestic violence, family safety, and other civil legal matters.
Phone: 650-558-0915
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–12 PM and 1 PM–5 PM
Services: Civil legal assistance, housing, public benefits, healthcare access, family safety, and legal advocacy
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: legalaidsmc.org
COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES IN EAST PALO ALTO
​Legal Assistance & Advocacy
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Provides free or low-cost legal services to eligible individuals and families, with particular focus on underserved communities. Services include housing, immigration, workers' rights, and other civil legal matters. Immigration assistance may include support related to U visas and protections under the Violence Against Women Act.
Phone: 650-326-6440
Services: Housing, immigration, workers' rights, legal advocacy, and assistance for eligible survivors
Location: East Palo Alto
Service Area: San Mateo County
Online: clsepa.org
A Note About These Resources
Rising Ember Foundation provides this resource guide as a community service to help individuals and families connect with organizations that may offer support.
Resource information was reviewed and verified in August 2026. Programs, hours, eligibility requirements, contact information, and availability may change. We encourage you to contact each organization directly or visit its website for the most current information.
Rising Ember Foundation is not affiliated with, responsible for, or a provider of the services listed on this page unless specifically stated. Inclusion in this guide does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of services.
If you are unsure where to begin, call 211 for help connecting with local community resources.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Last reviewed: August 2026