Social Services

The City of Hollywood cares about issues that are important to residents and is committed to improving their quality of life. The Community Development Division's Housing and Social Services Coordinator, Barbara Lawson, helps connect residents with various agencies that provide needed services. While the City does not directly provide these services, Ms. Lawson provides residents guidance with accessing an array of social services such as:


  • Behavioral Health
  • Food Stamps
  • Handicapped Services
  • Clothing
  • Medicare
  • Drug & Alcohol Support
  • Medication Assistance
  • Elderly Services Rent/Mortgage
  • Employment/Life Skills Training
  • Shelter
  • Evictions
  • Transportation
  • Utilities
  • Disaster Relief Information- American Red Cross. Click Here.

Please call Barbara Lawson at 954.924.2952 or by email.

Flooding Disaster Resource Information (April 2023)

Parts of Broward County received historic levels of rain, in some areas more than 25 inches of rain fell, and that caused major flooding across the county. Governor DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-65 (Emergency Management – Broward County Flooding), declaring a state of emergency for Broward County due to the severe flooding and rainfall. 
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced the activation of the Business Damage Assessment Survey to measure the physical and economic impacts of the flooding event since Tuesday on our local businesses. Survey responses will assist the state in accelerating recovery efforts by providing data on the needs of affected businesses. Local businesses are encouraged to complete the survey online by visiting  www.FloridaDisaster.biz and selecting “Broward County Flooding” from the dropdown menu. If you or your commercial establishments need additional assistance, please call 850-815-4925 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or email ESF18@EM.MyFlorida.com.   
For those impacted by flooding, The American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter. Workers are prepared to provide warm meals, a safe place to sleep and emotional support for those with immediate, disaster-caused needs. The Red Cross shelter is located at: Holiday Park  1150 G. Martin Drive in Ft. Lauderdale. Please contact the American Red Cross before you go to the shelter to determine availability by calling 561-907-6668 or visiting www.redcross.org/southflorida
The mission of the Long Term Recovery Coalition of Broward County is to achieve efficient, effective long-term disaster recovery by coordinating and collaboration among its members in order to address the unmet needs of the community. The LTRC also prioritizes communication to its membership throughout the year in an effort to ensure that the entire disaster continuum is part of a coordinated effort in Broward.


Homeless and at Risk of Homelessness Services

The TaskForce Fore Ending Homelessness, Inc. is a not- for-profit agency that provides street outreach, education and advocacy to the homeless population in Broward County Florida. The TaskForce provides a myriad of services to people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Broward County. Contact the The TaskForce Fore Ending Homelessness, Inc at (954) 525-3494. Click here for further information on the The TaskForce Fore Ending Homelessness, Inc.  

Homeowner Assistance Fund

The United States Department of the Treasury (US Treasury) and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has made available the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is designed to mitigate financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by preventing homeowners' mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and displacements, as well as loss of utilities, home energy services, internet, property and flood insurance, and homeowner or condominium association fees. To apply for HAF assistance, click here. 

General Utility Assistance

For Utility Payment Assistance dial 2-1-1. 211 Broward is a live, 24-hour comprehensive helpline that can connect you with multiple resources in the community. To contact resource providers directly go to Social Services Resources. 

Goodman Jewish Family Services – The short-term financial assistance program is designed to help those most in need and in crisis here in our community. Each day Goodman JFS provides assistance with food, rent, utilities and prescription medications for seniors, families and individuals throughout Broward County. Contact Goodman Jewish Family Services at (954) 370-2140.

FPL Assistance 

While the wide majority of Florida Power and Light (FPL) customers are able to pay their bills, they do have customers struggling as a result of COVID-19. FPL remains committed to helping those customers still experiencing hardship by connecting them with referral services, such as 211, to find financial assistance. FPL continues to offer payment extensions, waive late fees and connect customers with available financial assistance. 

FPL continues to work closely with customers to do everything possible to avoid turning the lights off for nonpayment. Customers struggling to pay their bill need to take action now by calling FPL directly, toll-free, at 800-226-3545. Representatives are available to discuss a customer’s particular situation, and share information on available financial assistance.

Food Assistance

The Florida Food Assistance Program administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP. To apply, go to myflorida.com/accessflorida and click the link “Apply for Benefits.”

Feeding South Florida

A regional food bank serving about 300 nonprofit agencies, is distributing ready-to-eat food (appointment only). They have launched a COVID-19 Response Fund to help support those in need during the pandemic. Those who require assistance and for other benefits may visit feedingsouthflorida.org or call 954.518.1857.

Feeding South Florida also offers appointment only pick-up from their Pembroke Park distribution at 2501 SW 32 Terrace, Pembroke Park, FL 33023. Either e-mail clientservices@feedingsouthflorida.org or call 954.518.1857 for more information.

Liberia Economic and Social Development Inc.

LES Food Pantry (walk-up), 2334 Green Street Apt. 3 in Hollywood. 954.924.3635.

  • Open Tuesday, Wednesday,  and Thursday  9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
  • Bring LES Food Pantry ID or Proof of Residency
  • DONATIONS NEEDED - please call 954.924.3635 if you can help.

Community Enhancement Collaboration (CEC)

Client Choice Food Pantry (walk-up), 5648 Wiley Street in Hollywood. 954.987.0625.

  • Friday - open to the general public from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
  • Special Hollywood Seniors Program – Tuesdays 12 to 2PM (proof of residency is required)
  • No ID required and walk-ups must not have car
  • VOLUNTEERS and DONATIONS needed, please contact CEC by e-mail if you can help.

Helping Souls Pantry

Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church, 400 N 35th Avenue, Hollywood. 954.989.8304

  • Clients must call 954.962.7181 for date of the next food distribution and to register for food pick-up
  • No ID required
  • DONATIONS needed, please contact Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church directly

Faith and Life Fellowship Ministries

Faith and Life Fellowship Ministries Food Pantry, 121 S 24th Avenue in Hollywood,  954.922.5422.

  • Food Pantry open every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (drive-thru only)
  • No ID required
  • Financial donations: Monetary donations will be accepted via check or money order only. Please visit www.flfm.org for more information.

Meals on Wheels

Website at Meals on Wheels South Florida Phone #954.731.8770  

Civil Legal Services

Legal Aid Service of Broward County provides free civil legal services to income and otherwise eligible residents of Broward County. Services include but are not limited to Children’s Advocacy, Housing Advocacy, Tenant/Landlord Disputes, and Veterans Advocacy. Detailed information on Legal Aid Service of Broward County is available at https://www.browardlegalaid.org/ Phone# - 954-765-8950

Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida provides free civil legal services to income and otherwise eligible residents of Broward County. Services include but are not limited to Family Law, Senior/Elder Law, Economic Advocacy and Community Health. Detailed information on Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida is available at https://www.coasttocoastlegalaid.org/ Phone# - 954-736-2400.

Area Agency on Aging of Broward’s Elder Helpline

Elder Helpline for Seniors over the age of 60 in need of food: 954.745.9779

The Aging & Disability Resource Center

free (frozen) meals deliveries to Broward County Seniors 60 + older. They even take into account allergies & dietary needs and Kosher requests. The only requirement is to live in Broward County and be 60 or older. Frozen meals are delivered in groups of 14 or 28 (1 or 2 weeks’ worth of meals) and delivered by Meals on Wheels. Please call the Aging & Disability Resource Center to schedule your delivery at 954-745-9779. Additional resources.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami

Elderly service program is providing meals to those in need who are 60 or older, live independently in their homes and are registered with the program. Instead of serving the food at its 12 senior centers across South Florida, employees are delivering meals.  To learn more about the program visit www.ccadm.org/congregate-meals/ or 954.315.2605.

Free Internet

Xfinity and AT&T have opened up Wifi hotspots across the country so everyone can have access to the Internet for free, including non-customers. To find a hotspot near you visit wifi.xfinity.com and att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1103818/. In addition, providers are offering low-cost home internet service to eligible families.

Childcare

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) 20/21 eLearning Childcare Resources - For eLearning to be successful families will need a safe place for their children to go during the day while they are at work.  To support working families, BCPS’s Before and After School Child Care (BASCC) Department has collaborated with a Network of community partners and care providers.  View map and list of child care service providers.

Florida’s Department of Education and the Office of Early Learning have approved funding for Early Learning Coalitions (ELC) to administer free child care for parents who are first responders or health care workers regardless of income. This funding is retroactive to April 1, 2020, for children birth to 13 years old.

ELC staff have ensured that children and families retain their child care eligibility (regardless of attendance), continue to assist parents find child care programs that are still open, provide early learning activities and programming for children birth to 5 who are at home, provide resources and information to early learning parents and providers, and working closely with the State to ensure that child care providers continue to be paid during this crisis.

Each Center is ready to help essential employees find available child care, provide them online resources for early childhood education, and assist in any way to support the early learning community.

This information can also be accessed on each County’s Early Learning Coalition website. www.elcbroward.org


Broward County provides a number of services. View a complete list of Broward County Services.

MIAMI-DADE/MONROE

https://www.elcmdm.org

PALM BEACH

https://www.elcpalmbeach.org