Free Resources

Find the help you need. Start here.

This page brings together free national helplines, nonprofit organizations, treatment locators, support groups and practical resources. You do not have to know exactly what kind of help you need before reaching out.

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If you are not sure what kind of help you need, these are strong places to begin.

FindTreatment.gov

Anonymous federal locator for mental-health and substance-use treatment throughout the United States.

USA.gov Benefit Finder

Answer a few questions to find government benefits and financial assistance you may qualify for.

HRSA — Find a Health Center

Find federally supported community health centers offering primary care and other services regardless of ability to pay.

HealthCare.gov — Low-Cost Community Care

Learn how to find nearby community health centers and low-cost medical care.

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Mental Health & Emotional Support

Free screening, peer support, local programs and treatment-finding resources.

NAMI — Find Your Local NAMI

Find local mental-health support groups, education programs and community resources.

NAMI Support Groups

Free peer-led support groups for people living with mental-health conditions and their families.

FindTreatment.gov — Mental Health

Search mental-health treatment providers and facilities by location.

SAMHSA Treatment Locators

Federal tools for finding mental-health, substance-use and early serious mental-illness treatment.

Mental Health America — Free Screening

Free, confidential mental-health screening tools for depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and other concerns.

Mental Health America — Find Help

Search mental-health treatment, peer support and community resources.

HRSA — Find a Health Center

Find community health centers that may provide or refer for behavioral and mental-health care.

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Addiction & Recovery

Treatment locators, national helplines and free peer-support meetings.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Find local and online A.A. meetings and recovery resources.

Narcotics Anonymous

Find N.A. resources, local service contacts, phonelines and meetings.

SMART Recovery

Free self-empowering mutual-support meetings for addictive behaviors.

Co-Dependents Anonymous

Find in-person, online and telephone meetings focused on healthier relationships and recovery from codependence.

Al-Anon & Alateen

Peer support for people affected by someone else's drinking, including meetings for teens.

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Domestic Violence & Relationship Abuse

Confidential support, safety planning, legal information and connections to local services.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Free, confidential support, safety planning and connections to local domestic-violence resources.

WomensLaw — Advocates & Shelters

Search by state for shelters, advocates, counseling, safety-planning assistance and local programs for survivors of abuse.

StrongHearts Native Helpline

Confidential, culturally appropriate support and resources for Native Americans and Alaska Natives affected by domestic or sexual violence.

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Sexual Assault & Abuse

Confidential support, local advocacy, medical information and healing resources for survivors and those supporting them.

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline

Free, confidential support and referrals for survivors of sexual assault or abuse.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center — Find Help

Find community rape-crisis centers, trained advocates, state coalitions and confidential local services.

RAINN — After Sexual Assault

Practical information about medical care, reporting options, forensic exams, trauma and recovery after sexual violence.

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Child Abuse & Youth Safety

Support for children, teens, survivors, parents, caregivers and people concerned about a child's safety.

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

Support and guidance for children, teens, adults and anyone concerned about child abuse or neglect.

Childhelp Resource Library

Find state reporting information plus resources for parents, caregivers, schools and professionals.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Resources for missing children, child exploitation, online safety and families seeking help.

NCMEC — Take It Down

A free service designed to help remove or stop the online sharing of intimate images taken when someone was under 18.

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Human Trafficking & Exploitation

Support, information and service connections for people affected by sex trafficking, labor trafficking or exploitation.

National Human Trafficking Hotline

Confidential help, safety planning and connections to services for people experiencing or concerned about trafficking.

DHS Blue Campaign

Federal resources for recognizing human trafficking, understanding warning signs and learning how to respond.

Office for Victims of Crime — Human Trafficking

Federal information, survivor resources and connections to trafficking services and task forces.

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Crime Victims

Support, rights information, compensation resources and connections to victim-service programs.

VictimConnect Resource Center

Trauma-informed information, emotional support and referrals for people affected by crime.

Office for Victims of Crime — Service Directory

Search thousands of nonprofit and public victim-service programs in the United States and abroad.

Office for Victims of Crime — Help for Victims

Federal information about victim assistance, compensation, rights and where to find additional help.

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Grief & Loss

Information, peer connection and support for people grieving a death or helping someone who is grieving.

Dougy Center — National Grief Center

Free grief information and resources for children, teens, young adults, families and supporters.

GriefShare

Find in-person and online grief-support groups for people grieving the death of someone close to them.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — I've Lost Someone

Support, peer connections and resources specifically for people who have lost someone to suicide.

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Scams, Fraud & Identity Theft

Free prevention, reporting and recovery resources if you were scammed, lost money, exposed personal information or suspect someone is using your identity.

Scam Prevention & Identity Protection Guide

Learn common warning signs, how to verify suspicious requests, protect accounts and identity, report fraud, and begin recovering after a loss.

FTC — ReportFraud

Report scams, fraud and deceptive business practices to the Federal Trade Commission.

IdentityTheft.gov

Report identity theft and receive a personalized federal recovery plan with step-by-step actions and sample documents.

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center — IC3

Report internet-enabled fraud, scams, account compromise, cybercrime and other online financial crimes to the FBI.

CFPB — Fraud & Scams

Federal consumer guidance on recognizing scams, identity theft, unauthorized transactions and financial exploitation.

FTC — Credit Freezes & Fraud Alerts

Learn how to place free credit freezes and fraud alerts to make it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.

Identity Theft Resource Center

Nonprofit providing free identity-theft and fraud recovery information and victim-assistance resources.

BBB Scam Tracker

Search reported scams by business, website, email, phone number, location or scam type before sending money or information.

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Gambling

Help for problem gambling, gambling addiction and the families or friends affected by it.

National Council on Problem Gambling

National information and connections to help and treatment for gambling-related problems.

Gamblers Anonymous

Find peer-support meetings for people seeking recovery from compulsive gambling.

Gam-Anon

Peer support for family members and friends affected by another person's gambling.

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Eating Disorders

Screening, peer support, treatment information and help overcoming financial or insurance barriers to care.

ANAD

Peer support, recovery resources and treatment information for people affected by eating disorders.

National Eating Disorders Association

Free screening, treatment information, support options and free or low-cost recovery resources.

Project HEAL

Free programs that can help people facing financial, insurance or systemic barriers to eating-disorder treatment.

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Housing & Homelessness

Emergency shelter, rent help, housing counseling and longer-term affordable housing resources.

HUD Find Shelter

Search by location for shelters, food pantries, health clinics and clothing resources.

211 Housing Help

Find local help with homelessness, rent, utilities, emergency housing and related services.

USA.gov — Emergency Housing

Find immediate shelter and temporary housing resources if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

USA.gov — Emergency Rent Assistance

Find state and local programs that may help with overdue rent or an immediate housing crisis.

HUD Housing Counselor Locator

Find HUD-approved counselors for rental problems, eviction concerns, homelessness, foreclosure and housing decisions.

USA.gov — Subsidized Housing

Learn how to find lower-rent apartments and government-supported affordable housing.

HUD — Find Your Public Housing Agency

Locate the local agency responsible for public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs.

USA.gov — Rental Assistance

Find information about Section 8, public housing, subsidized apartments and rental help for specific groups.

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Food & Basic Needs

Free food, groceries, nutrition benefits and local assistance for individuals and families.

Feeding America — Find Free Food

Enter your ZIP code to find nearby food banks, pantries, meal programs and grocery distributions.

211 — Food Programs & Benefits

Find local food pantries, meal programs, food benefits and other community assistance.

USA.gov — Emergency Food Assistance

Find immediate food help, food pantries, emergency programs and government food assistance.

USA.gov — SNAP

Learn whether you may qualify for SNAP food benefits and find your state office to apply.

USA.gov — WIC

Food, nutrition support and referrals for eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants and young children.

Meals on Wheels — Find Meals & Services

Find local meal delivery and support programs for older adults who may have difficulty shopping or preparing food.

Feeding America — Free Summer Meals for Kids

Find free summer meal programs for children and teens when school is out.

Feeding America — Food Programs

Explore mobile pantries, food distributions, SNAP assistance, kids programs and other free food options.

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Legal, Financial & Benefits Help

Free or low-cost legal aid, government benefits, disability assistance and help navigating financial hardship.

USA.gov — Free & Low-Cost Legal Help

Find civil legal-aid programs, pro-bono lawyers and free or low-cost legal resources.

Legal Services Corporation — Find Legal Help

Find nonprofit civil legal-aid organizations funded to assist low-income people across the United States.

LawHelp.org

Find free legal information, self-help tools, forms and civil legal-aid organizations by state.

USA.gov Benefit Finder

Find government assistance for food, housing, disability, health care, jobs, families and financial hardship.

USA.gov — Disability Benefits

Find government benefits and programs that may be available when living with a disability or serious illness.

Social Security — Disability Benefits

Official information about Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.

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Disability & Independent Living

Disability-rights information, independent-living services, benefits, accessibility guidance and local advocacy.

DIAL — Disability Information & Access Locator

Federal locator connecting people with disabilities to local organizations supporting independent living.

ADA National Network

Free information and guidance about disability rights, accessibility and accommodations under the ADA.

Centers for Independent Living

Find local disability-led organizations providing peer support, skills training, referrals and advocacy.

ACL — Centers for Independent Living Directory

Federal directory of Centers for Independent Living and statewide independent-living councils.

USA.gov — Disability Benefits

Find financial, health and other government benefits for people living with disabilities.

Social Security — Disability

Learn about federal disability benefits, eligibility and how to apply.

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Older Adults & Caregivers

Local aging services, caregiver support, benefits and guidance for helping an older adult remain safe and independent.

Eldercare Locator

Federal service connecting older adults and caregivers with local aging and community resources.

National Institute on Aging — Caregiving

Practical federal guidance for caring for an aging family member or friend.

NIA Caregiving Toolkit

A current collection of caregiver tools covering support services, benefits, respite, dementia and long-term care.

Caregiver Action Network

Free education, peer support and practical resources for family caregivers.

BenefitsCheckUp

Free screening tool that helps older adults and adults with disabilities find benefits and assistance programs.

Alzheimer's Association — Help & Support

Resources, education, support groups and local programs for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

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Memory Changes, Dementia & When Someone Refuses Help

Resources for early memory concerns, dementia caregiving and the difficult situation where someone may not recognize that they need an evaluation or support.

Alzheimer's Association — 10 Steps to Approach Memory Concerns

A practical guide for noticing changes, planning the conversation, offering to attend a doctor's appointment and trying again when the first conversation does not work.

Alzheimer's Association — Understanding Anosognosia

Explains how some people with dementia may genuinely be unable to recognize their own cognitive decline, and offers communication and safety strategies for caregivers.

National Institute on Aging — Memory Loss & Forgetfulness

Information about memory changes, possible warning signs and when cognitive changes deserve medical attention.

National Institute on Aging — Does an Older Adult Need Help?

Signs that an older adult may need additional support and practical steps families can take when concerns emerge.

HHS — Sharing Concerns With a Health Care Provider

Explains that privacy rules do not prevent a health-care provider from listening to concerns provided by family members or caregivers, even when the provider may be unable to disclose information back.

Alzheimer's Association — Diagnosis & Doctor Visits

Learn what a memory evaluation may involve, why evaluation matters and what to expect when seeing a doctor about cognitive changes.

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Veterans

Crisis support, caregiver assistance, housing programs and other services for Veterans and their families.

Veterans Crisis Line

Confidential crisis support for Veterans, service members and the people who care about them.

VA Caregiver Support Program

Education, coaching, peer support, referrals and other services for people caring for Veterans.

VA Homeless Programs

Housing, health care, employment, outreach and support resources for Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

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LGBTQ+ Support

Confidential peer support, community resources and specialized help for LGBTQ+ people, young people and families.

The Trevor Project

Crisis counseling and support designed specifically for LGBTQ+ young people.

PFLAG — Get Support

Peer support through local chapters, virtual meetings and resources for LGBTQ+ people and the people who love them.

LGBT National Help Center

Free confidential peer support, online programs and connections to local LGBTQ+ resources for people of different ages.

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Whistleblowers, Corruption & Retaliation

Official reporting channels and protections for people reporting fraud, waste, abuse, corruption, regulatory violations or retaliation. The correct agency depends on what happened.

FBI — Public Corruption

Learn about and report suspected bribery, kickbacks, extortion, government contract fraud, election crimes and other public corruption.

Oversight.gov — Report Fraud, Waste, Abuse or Retaliation

Use the federal Inspector General system to identify the correct agency for reporting government fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct or whistleblower retaliation.

U.S. Office of Special Counsel — Disclosure of Wrongdoing

Secure federal channel for eligible current or former federal executive-branch employees and applicants reporting violations, gross mismanagement, waste, abuse of authority or serious dangers.

GAO FraudNet

Report suspected fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement involving federal funds or federal programs to the Government Accountability Office.

SEC Whistleblower Program

Official channel for tips involving possible violations of federal securities laws, including certain investment and corporate misconduct.

CFTC Whistleblower Program

Report potential Commodity Exchange Act violations involving commodities, derivatives, market manipulation or related fraud.

IRS Whistleblower Office

Official information for reporting significant tax noncompliance and understanding the IRS whistleblower claim process.

DOJ Office of Inspector General Hotline

Report fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct or whistleblower reprisal involving Department of Justice employees, programs, contracts or grants.

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Disasters & Traumatic Events

Emotional support, emergency assistance and recovery resources following natural or human-caused disasters.

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline

Crisis counseling and emotional support for distress related to disasters and traumatic events.

American Red Cross — Disaster Recovery

Information about emergency shelter, disaster assistance and steps to begin recovering after a disaster.

DisasterAssistance.gov

Federal starting point for locating and applying for disaster assistance after a federally declared disaster.

These organizations and services are independent of ToshinSamuels.com and Overcomers Society. Inclusion is intended to help people find a starting point and does not constitute medical, legal or professional advice or an endorsement of any particular treatment or organization. Services, eligibility and availability can change.

Resource links reviewed August 20, 2026.

Protect your identity, your money, and yourself.

Fraud works by creating pressure, confusion, trust, or fear before you have time to recognize what is happening. Learning the warning signs can prevent enormous harm.

I've gathered practical scam-prevention education, identity protection tools, fraud-reporting resources, recovery guidance, and information on common scams so you can slow things down, verify what you're being told, and protect yourself before sending money or personal information.

Scam Prevention & Identity Protection

Find funding that can help you move forward.

Grants, government benefits, scholarships, nonprofit assistance, fellowships, business programs, and other legitimate sources of financial help can be difficult to find if you do not know where to look.

I've gathered free tools and trusted starting points to help people find opportunities, understand eligibility, and avoid the scams that often surround promises of "free money."

Find Funding & Financial Assistance

Useful knowledge should be easier to find and easier to access.

This site is an ongoing effort to gather practical information, tools, opportunities, and resources that can help people move forward — and to keep making more of them freely available.

I believe information that can help someone make a safer decision, find support, recognize an opportunity, or understand their options should not be needlessly difficult to find. As this site grows, I'll continue adding free, carefully selected resources that may make the road a little easier for someone else.

If you want to know why I built these resources, this is the promise behind them.

No one should have to overcome alone.

This is not a résumé or a monument to one person. It is a standing commitment to help build the institutions, relationships, and shared wisdom that make another chapter possible.

No story is finished until the author stops writing.

Read the letterBegin

The mission is larger than any one life. But every mission begins with a promise.

The promise has to become something useful.

The resources above are one expression of a larger commitment: build things that help people find information, support, opportunity, perspective, and a way forward.

Much of my work today is centered on Overcomers Society and Humanity's Living Autobiography. They are different projects, but they grow from the same belief: human experience has value, useful knowledge should be shared, and institutions should remain accountable to the people they exist to serve.

Toshin Samuels

Founder, President & Founding Steward — Overcomers Society

Different projects. One underlying purpose.

The goal is not to build institutions for their own sake. It is to build useful things that preserve human experience, expand access to knowledge and resources, and make it easier for people to find one another and find a way forward.

Overcomers Society

A Florida nonprofit centered on human dignity, accountability, shared wisdom, access to useful resources, service, and the belief that no one should have to overcome alone.

Visit Overcomers Society

Humanity's Living Autobiography

A living record of human chapters — preserving people's experiences in their own voices so perspective, wisdom, context, and hope can be carried forward.

Explore Humanity's Living Autobiography

Books from Overcomers Society

Two books documenting the principles, foundations, and perspectives behind the work of Overcomers Society.

Support the mission. Purchases of Overcomers Society Press books support the nonprofit and its work.

Your story is still being written.

Beginning does not require having every answer. It begins with one honest step.

Preserve a chapter of your story. Learn from someone whose experience can illuminate your own. Share the wisdom life has entrusted to you. Encourage the next person. Ask for help when you need it.

The wider Overcomers Society platform is being built one faithful chapter at a time. Its purpose is not to make the organization indispensable. Its purpose is to help people become more equipped, more connected, and more capable of continuing forward with dignity and hope.

Every story matters. Every experience has something to teach. Every person can continue growing. No one has to overcome alone.

Explore Humanity’s Living AutobiographyVisit Overcomers Society

I'm building resources I wish I had known how to find.

Many of the resources on this site are things I wish I had known how to find much earlier in my own life. Some are resources I can still use today.

I built this site because I believe useful knowledge, practical help, and real opportunity should be easier to find and freely accessible whenever possible. I intend to keep adding more tools, information, and resources here as I find or create them.

Transparency is part of the promise.

My past is not the purpose of this site, but it is part of why this work matters to me.

I know that choices I made harmed other people. Accountability, to me, means more than acknowledging that fact. It means accepting what cannot be changed while choosing to use what I have learned to reduce harm, share useful knowledge, and make resources easier for the next person to find.

I do not ask anyone to forget the past. The Full Record is here for anyone who wants the documented history, the chronology, and the fuller context behind the work I choose to do today.

Read the Full Record

No story is finished until the author stops writing.