- 2-1-1 Community Resource Helpline: Dial 2-1-1 or text your Zip Code to 898-211.
- CareerSource Citrus, Levy, Marion: 800-434-5627 – CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion can assist in preparing and referring you to leading employers. Their staff will provide support with all aspects of your career development and enhancement.
- Community Legal Services: 352-629-6257 – The nonprofit law firm operates in Marion County Florida. They offer free, or low cost, yet high quality legal assistance to low-income residents. Help is only for legal matters.
- Florida DEO Reemployment Assistance
- Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Center: 352-622-8495
- Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-500-1110
- Florida Center for the Blind
- Florida Department of Health – Marion County: 352-629-0137
- Florida Disability Rights: 800-342-0823
- Heart of Florida Health Center: 352-732-6599
- HelpWhenYouNeedIt.org: over 350,000 listings for social services, mental health, substance use, legal and financial assistance
Ocala/Marion County Community Resources
We provide this sampling of resources for our community members who may find themselves in need. While we are not offering endorsements of any organization over another, we ask that you consider one of these sources should you need assistance.
This is not an exhaustive list, and if you would like to see additional resources listed, please contact us.
Local Resources
- Marion County Public Library System: 352-671-8551 (main)
- Marion County Sheriff’s Office: 352-732-9111
- Marion Senior Services: 1101 SW 20th Court, Ocala, FL 34471 – elderly utility assistance, home delivered meals, in-home support
- Marion Transit: 352-620-3071 – public transportation
- North Central Florida Job Readiness and Placement Services, Inc.: 352-854-5802 – The center provides self improvement counseling, job placement, employment skills training and tutoring to children and target groups.
- Ocala CEP – Job Openings in Ocala/Marion
- Ocala Police Department: 352-369-7139
- Operation: Homefront: 877-264-3968 – veteran emergency assistance
- Supervisor of Elections: 352-620-3290 – Registered voters in the City of Ocala can request a ballot to be mailed to them for the upcoming special run-off election scheduled for May 19, 2020. To request a ballot, visit https://www.votemarion.gov/mbrs. Requests must be submitted by May 9, 2020 by 5:00pm EDT.
Feeling Overwhelmed?
- Check out this Resource Flyer
- BBC News, “Coronavirus: How to protect your mental health”
- Darkness to Light helpline: Dial 866-367-5444 or text “Light” to 741-741
- Florida Statewide Mental Health Access Hotline: 800-945-1355
- Florida Suicide Hotline: 352-629-9595
- NAMI Ocala: 352-368-2405
- SAMHSA Treatment Locator: 800-662-4357 – Provides referrals to low-cost/sliding scale mental health care, substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment.
- School Board of Marion County Florida Mental Health Resources
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 800-273-8255 or 800-784-2433
- Ten Percent Happier, “How to Stay Kind in the Midst of Fear”
- The Centers Mobile Response Team: 352-402-2890 – available 24/7 for those in crisis
Childcare & Child Welfare Resources
- Abuse Hotline – Department of Children & Families: 800-962-2873
- Amazon – free kids’ programming
- Arnette House: 352-622-6135
- Childhood Development Services: 352-629-0055
- Crayola – free coloring pages
- Early Learning Coalition of Marion County: 352-369-2315
- Family Empowerment Scholarship Program
- Family Portal for School Readiness & VPK
- Florida DCF Childcare Search: 850-488-4900
- IMDb TV – free family movies
- Kids Central Inc.: 352-873-6332
- Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection: 352-873-4739
- Marion County Public Schools VPK Lottery
- US Office of Child Care – finding programs, financial assistance
Need help paying bills?
- Annie W. Johnson Senior and Family Center: 352-489-8021; 1991 W Test Court, Dunnellon, FL 34430 – The non-profit agency provides limited financial assistance with utility, mortgage expenses or rent payment assistance in emergency situations.
- Family and Life Connection Network: 352-622-8960 – The non-profit charity has financial assistance to low-and-no-income families for rent or utilities, emergency food assistance, clothing, local transportation assistance and in-home care to seniors.
- Florida Department of Children & Families ACCESS – State food assistance, medical assistance, temporary cash assistance for families with children
- Fresh EBT – EBT FAQ and basics guide
- GreenPath Financial Wellness: 888-776-6735 – Programs offered include Housing Delinquency/Foreclosure Counseling, Rental Counseling, Bankruptcy advice, Debt management plans, and information on mortgage assistance programs in Florida
- Marion County Homeless Council Rent Assistance Program: 352-732-1369; 1315 SE 25th Loop, Ocala, FL 34471
- Marion County Public Schools – Free/Reduced Meals
- Neighbors Who Care Program: 352-629-8411 or 800-893-4760 – This program is designed to help pay utility bills for those customers unable to maintain utility service due to financial hardships.
- Ocala Electric Utility – payment assistance: 352-629-2489
- Ocala Electric Utility – rebates: 352-629-2489
- SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
- Shores Volunteer Skills Bank: 352-687-4848 – May have emergency assistance for utility bills. This includes water, electric, cooling, and other types as well.
Food Assistance Resources
- Brother’s Keeper: 352-622-3846; 320 NW 10th St, Ocala, FL 34470
- Central Florida Community Action Agency: 352-732-3008; 2703 NE 14th Street, Ocala, FL 34470
- Citra First United Methodist Church (food pantry): 352-595-3151; 2000 NE 180th Street, Citra, FL 32113
- Community Of Gratitude (Emergency Food Center): 352-288-3499; 13335 E Hwy 25, Ocklawaha, FL 32179
- First Step Food Bank: 352-732-5500; 412 NE 9th St, Ocala, FL 34475
- Interfaith Emergency Services: 352-629-8868, 435 NW 2nd Street, Ocala, FL 34475
- Salvation Army: 352-732-8326; 300 NW 1st Ave, Ocala, FL 34475
- St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Social Service (soup kitchen & food pantry): 352-245-1359; 11528 S Hwy 301, Belleview, FL 34420
- Wings Of Faith Fellowship Church Of God (food pantry): 352-687-4600; 5066 SE 64th Ave Rd, Ocala, FL 34472
COVID-19 Resources
- Coronavirus Myth Test: Are you taking the correct protective measures against COVID-19? Misinformation spreads faster than the virus. Stay informed to protect your community. Take the COVID-19 Information Quiz here:
- COVID-19 Call Center – Florida Department of Health: 866-779-6121; covid-19@flhealth.gov – Available 24/7
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990, or text “talkwithus” to 66-746
- Florida Department of Children & Families Child Welfare COVID-19 Guidelines
- Florida’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard
- Gov. DeSantis’s office’s COVID-19 resource page; for regular COVID-19 updates, text “FLCOVID19” to 888-777
- School Board of Marion County Florida COVID 19 Meal Service
- Travel & Leisure: Stuck at Home? These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch
- Zoom Information: