City of New Bedford Office of Human Services

The Office of Human Services:

-Assists the City of New Bedford in developing policies and programs that address human service needs and related issues with input from community-based organizations, educational institutions, neighborhood associations and area agencies;

-Provides Information & Referral services to constituents, linking them with appropriate agencies and services;

-Seeks outside funds and resources to support City /community projects.

Some of thecommittees and initiativesrun by the Department of Community Services include: the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities,Invest-in-Kids (quality out of school activity programs for youth), the Local Consumer Aid Fund (free consumer mediation services and consumer education), the Neighborhood and Community Outreach Unit, No Place for Hate (an initiative dedicated to fighting racism and anti-Semitism, while promoting tolerance and peace), Shining Lights (Englishand civics instructionfor immigrant families), and Volunteer New Bedford.

The overall mission of the Department of Community Services is to design and implement innovative programs to improve the"human infrastructure" and quality of life for New Bedford's residents. The Department of Community Services was established in 2006 andis comprised of the Council on Aging and the Office ofHuman Services.