Balancing school and parenting can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. The Essential Needs Hub is here to support student parents by connecting you with campus and community resources that promote your well-being and academic success. 

Free and Discounted Parenting Supplies

Parenting students can access free and discounted supplies to help support their family’s needs while pursuing their education.

• Temple students with children can access free parenting supplies through the Cherry Pantry. Available items vary based on inventory and may include diapers, infant formula, and other family essentials. 
• Philly Joy Bank provides free diapers and financial assistance for pregnant mothers. 
• SNAP recipients can receive discounted formula.
• Catholic Social Services Philadelphia provides baby supplies, clothes, diapers, formula, personal care items, pregnancy tests, and health and parenting education. 
• Family Promise of Philadelphia provides childcare supplies, diapers, furniture, food and clothing.
• The Philadelphia Department of Public Health provides free cribs. You can apply for the program or call 215-519-8640.
• Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia provides free seasonal clothing, shoes, diapers and school supplies for children from birth to age 12 through local social work and organizational referrals.

Childcare Support and Education

• Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services offers Parenting Education and Support groups and general childcare support. For information about education and support groups, call 215-727-3687.
• The Federal Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is still operational, but temporary. 
• Philadelphia’s Office of Family and Community Engagement offers parenting support and resources.
• Philly Families Can, a Philly Loves Families program, offers case management, food assistance, insurance and childcare.
• Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) provides free parenting education, safe crib requests and baby clothes.

Emergency Housing 

• Mothers’ Home provides residential shelter for pregnant women and their newborns. Call 610-583-4663 for immediate support.
• Life Turning Point of Phila. provides shelter for women and children. Call 215-826-7810 for immediate support.
• Women’s Center provides shelter and services to women experiencing domestic violence. Call 1-800-773-2424 for immediate support.
• A Woman’s Place provides shelter and services to women experiencing domestic violence. Call 1-800-220-8116 for immediate support. 
• Schuylkill Hope Center provides hope and healing for those impacted by intimate partner violence or sexual abuse through crisis intervention, shelter, education and advocacy for social change.