When you’re working on making a career change or building new skills, it can feel overwhelming to keep up with everyday life. Taking care of your basic needs—things like food, housing, and health—helps reduce stress and makes it easier to focus on your goals. That’s why it’s important to know where to find support when you need it.
This guide is designed to connect you with resources for mental health, housing, food, medical care, financial assistance, and more. By using these services, you can feel more secure and ready to move forward in your upskilling or reskilling journey.
Mental Health Resources
When you’re working on something as big as a career transition, it’s important to take care of your mental well-being. Balancing everyday stressors while also learning new skills can be tough, but there are resources available to help you manage that stress, anxiety, or anything else that might come up. Many mental health services offer free or low-cost options, so don’t hesitate to reach out for support.
- Mental Health America: Mental Health America provides free resources for mental health, including screenings and referrals to mental health professionals. They aim to ensure that all people have access to mental health support, regardless of their financial situation.
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): NAMI offers a wide range of mental health support services, including free support groups and education for individuals and families affected by mental health challenges. They also provide helplines for those needing immediate assistance or guidance on where to find local services.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988): This 24/7 lifeline is for anyone in emotional distress or thinking about suicide. Call, chat, or text for free, confidential support.
Housing and Food Resources
It’s hard to focus on career training when you’re worried about where your next meal will come from or where you’ll sleep. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources that provide housing and food assistance for students while you’re building your future.
- Feeding America: Feeding America runs a network of food banks and food pantries across the country, offering free meals to those in need. Visit their site to find a food bank near you.
- HUD.gov: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides affordable housing options and homelessness prevention programs. You can find information about renting, buying, and emergency housing assistance for students.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP provides financial assistance for purchasing groceries. Eligibility depends on your income and needs, but it’s a helpful resource to alleviate food insecurity.
- Free Food: At Free Food, you can research food resources and even coupons for your area.
Medical and Transportation Resources
Your health is vital to your success, and so is having reliable transportation to get to school, work, or appointments. Thankfully, there are programs that help you access medical services and transportation without breaking the bank.
- Medicaid: Medicaid provides free or low-cost healthcare coverage for those with low incomes. It covers everything from routine checkups to emergency care, depending on your eligibility.
- The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC): NAFC offers free or low-cost medical services to uninsured or underinsured individuals. You can search for clinics near you through their online tool.
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): If you need help getting to medical appointments, NEMT services provide free or low-cost transportation. Coverage and eligibility vary by state, so check with your local Medicaid office for more details.
- Lyft: Depending on your location, you may be able to get free rides through Lyft to job interviews, job training sites, or your workplace.
Financial Resources
Financial stability is essential when you’re making a career transition. Whether you need help managing expenses or finding grants and scholarships to pay for your training, financial resources are out there to help you along the way.
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): The FAFSA helps students apply for financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and low-interest loans. Completing the FAFSA is the first step in securing financial assistance, and many training programs accept it.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): TANF provides cash assistance to help families meet their basic needs. Eligibility varies by state, but this program can offer short-term support to cover necessities like rent and utilities.
- The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): LIHEAP helps individuals and families with energy costs so you can keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
Internet and Technology Resources
Reliable access to the internet and technology is essential for modern education and work. If you’re struggling with connectivity or need affordable tech, these resources can help.
- EveryoneOn: EveryoneOn focuses on helping people find low-cost access to the internet and computers.
- Lifeline: Lifeline is a federal program that provides discounted phone and internet access for students and low-income households. Check to see if you’re eligible and apply online to reduce your monthly bills.
- PCs for People: PCs for People offers refurbished computers for customers who meet their income requirements.
All-in-One Support Services
Sometimes, you just need help finding everything in one place. Fortunately, there are services designed to help you connect with all the resources available in your community.
- 211: 211 is a free and confidential service powered by United Way that connects people with local resources. From housing assistance to food and medical care, 211's staff and volunteers can help you find the help you need quickly.
- Findhelp: Findhelp helps you connect with free or reduced-cost resources from food and housing to medical care and financial assistance.
- The Salvation Army USA: The Salvation Army connects people to various resources, including rent assistance.
- Goodwill: Goodwill Industries has many different programs available to help people find employment in their communities.
How SkillUp Can Help
At SkillUp, we understand that making a career change isn’t just about learning new skills; it’s about making sure you have the resources you need to thrive. Whether you’re looking for mental health resources for students, financial aid, or student housing help, SkillUp can guide you to the right places. Check out our resources to connect with our partners across the country.
We can also help you discover learning paths that align with your skills and career goals so you can:
- Build the job skills employers want
- Find careers that take less than one year of training
- Learn top job skills
- Polish your resume
