Resources
Community Resources.
Local and statewide help for families and young people in the Pensacola area: food, housing, counseling, health care, legal help, and more.
If you need help right now
You do not have to face a crisis alone.
- Call 911Immediate dangerCall 911 right away if anyone is in immediate danger.
- Call 988988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFree, 24/7. Call or text if you or someone you love is in emotional distress or crisis.
- Call 1-800-962-2873Florida Abuse HotlineReport child abuse, neglect, or exploitation, any time.
- Call 866-517-7766Lakeview Center Mobile Response TeamA crisis team that comes to families during a mental health emergency.
- Call 850-434-6600FavorHouse 24/7 hotlineDomestic violence advocacy and safety planning for families in Escambia and Santa Rosa.
Crisis and emergency
Free help lines that answer any time.
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, 24/7 call or text support for anyone in emotional distress or crisis.
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Florida Abuse Hotline
Report child abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the state, any time.
- Call Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873
- myflfamilies.com, Florida Abuse Hotline website (opens in a new tab)https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/abuse-hotline
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FavorHouse of Northwest Florida
Domestic violence advocacy, safety planning, and outreach for families in Escambia and Santa Rosa.
- Call FavorHouse of Northwest Florida at 850-434-6600
- favorhouse.org, FavorHouse of Northwest Florida website (opens in a new tab)https://www.favorhouse.org
24/7 hotline. The emergency shelter is closed due to damage. The hotline and outreach offices remain: Escambia 850-434-1177, Santa Rosa 850-626-5600.
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211 Northwest Florida
Free referral line connecting families to food, shelter, and other local help.
- Call 211 Northwest Florida at 211
- 211nwfl.org, 211 Northwest Florida website (opens in a new tab)https://211nwfl.org
You can also text 898-211.
Food
Groceries, food benefits, and school meals.
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Manna Food Pantries
Free groceries for Escambia and Santa Rosa families, by appointment.
- Call Manna Food Pantries at 850-432-2053
- mannahelps.org, Manna Food Pantries website (opens in a new tab)https://www.mannahelps.org/help
- 3030 North E Street, Pensacola, FL 32501
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Feeding the Gulf Coast
Regional food bank with a pantry finder for the Florida Panhandle.
- Call Feeding the Gulf Coast at 888-704-3663
- feedingthegulfcoast.org, Feeding the Gulf Coast website (opens in a new tab)https://www.feedingthegulfcoast.org/find-help
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Florida Food Assistance (SNAP) via MyACCESS
Apply online for SNAP food benefits and check your case status.
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Escambia County Schools Food Services
Free and reduced-price school meal applications and nutrition programs.
- Call Escambia County Schools Food Services at 850-429-2974
- escambiaschools.org, Escambia County Schools Food Services website (opens in a new tab)https://www.escambiaschools.org/departments/food-services/free-and-reduced-program
Housing and shelter
Shelter, housing help, and utility bill assistance.
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Opening Doors Northwest Florida
Entry point for homeless services and housing help in Escambia and Santa Rosa.
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Waterfront Mission (Pensacola)
Emergency shelter, meals, and recovery programs for people facing homelessness.
- Call Waterfront Mission (Pensacola) at 850-436-7868
- waterfrontmission.org, Waterfront Mission (Pensacola) website (opens in a new tab)https://waterfrontmission.org
- 348 West Herman Street, Pensacola, FL 32505
The Pensacola mission can also be reached at 850-478-4027.
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Children's Home Society: Street Solutions
Outreach and housing links for homeless or runaway youth ages 14 to 22.
- Call Children's Home Society: Street Solutions at 850-266-2700
- chsfl.org, Children's Home Society: Street Solutions website (opens in a new tab)https://chsfl.org/location/greater-pensacola/
- 17 S. De Villiers Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
Youth can also call 1-800-RUNAWAY.
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Community Action Program Committee (CAPC)
Home energy and utility bill help plus family stability support.
- Call Community Action Program Committee (CAPC) at 850-438-4021
- capc-pensacola.org, Community Action Program Committee (CAPC) website (opens in a new tab)https://capc-pensacola.org/home-energy-assistance/
LIHEAP energy assistance appointments are made only by calling 850-308-1472.
Families affected by incarceration
Mentoring, reentry support, and help staying connected.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
One-to-one mentoring for local children facing adversity.
- Call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida at 850-433-5437
- bbbsnwfl.org, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida website (opens in a new tab)https://www.bbbsnwfl.org
- 1320 Creighton Road, Pensacola, FL 32504
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REAP (Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola)
Housing, resources, and support for people returning home from incarceration.
- Call REAP (Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola) at 850-332-6677
- reapreentry.org, REAP (Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola) website (opens in a new tab)https://www.reapreentry.org
- 1000 W. Blount St., Pensacola, FL 32501
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Florida Department of Corrections: Visiting Information
How families schedule and prepare for prison visits.
- fdc.myflorida.com, Florida Department of Corrections: Visiting Information website (opens in a new tab)https://www.fdc.myflorida.com/institutions/visiting-information
Text FDCVISIT to 888-777 for visitation updates.
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Sesame Street in Communities: Incarceration
Free videos and guides helping children cope with a parent in prison.
- sesamestreetincommunities.org, Sesame Street in Communities: Incarceration website (opens in a new tab)https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/incarceration/
Mental health and counseling
Counseling, crisis response, and peer support.
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Lakeview Center: Children's Counseling
Outpatient counseling and psychiatric care for children and teens.
- Call Lakeview Center: Children's Counseling at 850-469-3500
- elakeviewcenter.org, Lakeview Center: Children's Counseling website (opens in a new tab)https://elakeviewcenter.org/mental-health-and-substance-misuse/
- 1221 West Lakeview Ave., Pensacola, FL 32501
This is the new client registration line.
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Lakeview Center Mobile Response Team
Crisis team that comes to families during a mental health emergency.
- Call Lakeview Center Mobile Response Team at 866-517-7766
- elakeviewcenter.org, Lakeview Center Mobile Response Team website (opens in a new tab)https://elakeviewcenter.org/mobile-response-team/
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
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NAMI Emerald Coast
Free peer support groups and education for people and families affected by mental illness.
- Call NAMI Emerald Coast at 850-449-3715
- namiec.org, NAMI Emerald Coast website (opens in a new tab)https://www.namiec.org
WARM Line: 850-208-1609.
Parenting and family support
Support for pregnancy, young children, child care, and family life.
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Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition
Support for pregnant women, new parents, and babies, including home visits.
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Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County
Child care tuition help, VPK registration, and child care referrals.
- Call Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County at 850-595-5400
- elcescambia.org, Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County website (opens in a new tab)https://elcescambia.org
- 1720 W. Fairfield Drive, Suite 100, Pensacola, FL
Child care referral line: 850-595-5915.
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WIC (Escambia County Health Department)
Healthy food, nutrition help, and breastfeeding support for pregnant women and young children.
- Call WIC (Escambia County Health Department) at 850-595-6670
- escambia.floridahealth.gov, WIC (Escambia County Health Department) website (opens in a new tab)https://escambia.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-health/wic/
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Children's Home Society of Florida (Greater Pensacola)
Counseling, family visitation centers, Healthy Families, and youth programs.
- Call Children's Home Society of Florida (Greater Pensacola) at 850-266-2700
- chsfl.org, Children's Home Society of Florida (Greater Pensacola) website (opens in a new tab)https://chsfl.org/location/greater-pensacola/
- 17 S. De Villiers Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
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Gulf Coast Kids House
Child advocacy center supporting children and families after abuse.
- Call Gulf Coast Kids House at 850-595-5800
- gulfcoastkidshouse.org, Gulf Coast Kids House website (opens in a new tab)https://www.gulfcoastkidshouse.org
- 3401 N. 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32503
Education and youth
School support, libraries, and job training for young people.
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Escambia County Schools: Homeless Student Services
School enrollment, transport, and support for students without stable housing.
- Call Escambia County Schools: Homeless Student Services at 850-806-8226
- escambiaschools.org, Escambia County Schools: Homeless Student Services website (opens in a new tab)https://www.escambiaschools.org/departments/title-i/homeless-student-services
This number reaches the Homeless Liaison Resource Teacher.
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West Florida Public Libraries
Free homework help, learning databases, and children's programs at local branches.
- Call West Florida Public Libraries at 850-436-5060
- mywfpl.com, West Florida Public Libraries website (opens in a new tab)https://mywfpl.com/visit/children
- 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL 32502
This is the Pensacola Library main line.
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CareerSource Escarosa: Youth Programs
Job training, education, and work experience for ages 16 to 24.
- Call CareerSource Escarosa: Youth Programs at 850-607-8700
- careersourceescarosa.com, CareerSource Escarosa: Youth Programs website (opens in a new tab)https://careersourceescarosa.com/career-services/
- 6913 N. 9th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504
Health care
Low-cost care, public health clinics, and children's health insurance.
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Community Health Northwest Florida
Low-cost medical, dental, and pediatric care with a sliding fee program.
- Call Community Health Northwest Florida at 850-436-4630
- healthcarewithinreach.org, Community Health Northwest Florida website (opens in a new tab)https://healthcarewithinreach.org
Formerly Escambia Community Clinics.
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Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
Public health clinics, immunizations, WIC, and family health services.
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Florida KidCare
Low-cost or free health insurance for children and teens.
- Call Florida KidCare at 1-888-540-5437
- floridakidcare.org, Florida KidCare website (opens in a new tab)https://floridakidcare.org
Legal help
Free civil legal help and family court self-help.
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Emerald Coast Legal Aid
Free civil legal help with family law, evictions, and domestic violence injunctions.
- Call Emerald Coast Legal Aid at 850-432-2336
- nwfls.org, Emerald Coast Legal Aid website (opens in a new tab)https://www.nwfls.org
- 226 S. Palafox Place, 8th Floor, Pensacola, FL 32502
By appointment. Confirm hours when you call.
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Legal Services of North Florida
Free civil legal help for low-income families, children, and abuse victims.
- lsnf.org, Legal Services of North Florida website (opens in a new tab)https://www.lsnf.org/how-we-help/
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Florida Guardian ad Litem Program (First Circuit)
Volunteers and staff who speak for abused and neglected children in court.
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Escambia County Clerk: Family Law
Self-help packets and filing for custody, support, and name changes.
- Call Escambia County Clerk: Family Law at 850-595-4331
- escambiaclerk.com, Escambia County Clerk: Family Law website (opens in a new tab)https://www.escambiaclerk.com/317/Family-Law
- 190 W. Government Street, 2nd Floor, Pensacola, FL 32502
Not sure where to start?
Call us at (850) 490-8890.
We are glad to talk it through with you, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.