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MissLizzCeeVee t1_j2i1lkh wrote

If you go to a local DTA (department of transitional assistance), they can help you with shelter (may be a wait list). They may also be able to assist you with getting your child some sort of subsidy or voucher for childcare. Where in Mass will you be?

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MissLizzCeeVee t1_j2i1q3f wrote

You should also visit HAWC (DV support)- It sounds like you are homeless due to having left an abusive and unsafe situation which gives you priority status.

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ItalianMama95 OP t1_j2i22jv wrote

You would think that but I don’t seem to get much help from the government at all

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buried_lede t1_j2jd8nx wrote

You know, I don't get that. Where you lived in Massachusetts there were no shelter beds for DV when you left your husband? It can happen but geez, does that happen very often? I don't hear of DV shelters turning victims away very often

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ItalianMama95 OP t1_j2juicl wrote

I tried every shelter in MA, CT and RI as advised. All were full and kept telling me to call back. I tried for months. I’m not a us citizen so I don’t have all the same benefits and rights to help as americans

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buried_lede t1_j2k3iwf wrote

Connecticut DV shelters don’t look at immigration status

I don’t know what is going on there. I know it can get tight but didn’t know they were turning people away

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ItalianMama95 OP t1_j2kcbp4 wrote

They’re not turning me away because of my immigration status. I’m saying I don’t get things like cash assistance from the government or other benefits like that that can help because of my immigration status. The shelters in MA, RI and CT at the time when I was fleeing my sons father were all full.

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ItalianMama95 OP t1_j2i1zsl wrote

DTA have known about my situation (it’s a little more complex than what’s in the post) and don’t provide much help.

I won’t be anywhere specific in MA as I will have to find somewhere I can park without the police coming and telling me I can’t stay there.

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buried_lede t1_j2jdgrp wrote

You're putting a lot of energy into how to make the car work as shelter instead of milking every resource hard for getting actual shelter. That's suspect as all get out, especially for someone with a young child. Are you real? Seriously

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B-Roc- t1_j2i3op8 wrote

You are allowed to sleep in Walmart parking lots

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GoochMasterFlash t1_j2i8ufx wrote

Technically not true but also true at the same time. Its one of those things thats against the rules these days (used to not be) but also we work in them 24 hours a day most days a year so no one ever cares or can tell if people sleep in the lot unless they are in campers. Depending on the location the cops come through more or less frequently though and will sometimes be looking for people.

OP can pm me to ask location but our Walmart lot is safe to sleep in and I am located in MA. Im not sure but my area may also have more resources available to help women in need

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Ken-Popcorn t1_j2imgvw wrote

No you are absolutely not allowed to sleep in your car in a Walmart. This is terrible misinformation. What may be confusing you is that some Walmarts will permit ou to park a camper overnight. The number of these is dwindling because local communities are no longer allowing it.

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Maronita2020 t1_j2ip9xo wrote

The Walmart near me allows homeless to sleep in their cars (and even leave them there during the day) as long as they park the furthest away from the store as possible. Most people including the police know they do this and no-one cares.

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No_Chart_275 t1_j2ievrl wrote

You have to ask the individual store and be very respectful of the space. (Lots in MA have stopped letting people stay due to issues with people being destructive etc.)

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Then_Ear t1_j2i8w01 wrote

This is a good option, but not a right that you are automatically allowed to park at a Walmart overnight. Most are ok with it, but some don’t allow it (locations in cities/high homelessness areas) ask a manager first.

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Rattlingjoint t1_j2li3ft wrote

DTA's Homebase program is a mess and shouldnt be relied on.

They will offer family shelter as a resource, but the actuality of it is you will be asked to call the hotline, be in hold for 3 hours and either be hung up on, or be told theres nothing that can be done because shelters are full.

Family shelter is really really fucking screwed up in MA.

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