Home
ARES
Advocacy

Advocacy

A fair skinned woman with blonde straight shoulder length hair. They are standing and wearing a long sleeved black shirt. The background is solid grey. The captions say "We believe that each person deserves to have control over their lives and make their own choices based on what is important to them."

Supporting individual autonomy is the core of our work. We believe that each person deserves to have control over their lives and make their own choices based on what is important to them.

‍

ARES Advocates provide you with balanced information so you can make decisions. We identify the tools available to you and show you how to use them. We walk with you to get other services that you may need. Whatever challenges you may face, ARES Advocates are prepared to support you.

‍

If you are struggling to get effective communication access at an immigration appointment, need to figure out your health insurance options, or want support at a medical appointment, ARES Advocates provide different levels of advocacy so you can navigate your situation with confidence.

Essential Needs

If you are an immigrant new to Massachusetts, a survivor of domestic violence, or going through a big change, ARES Advocates take the time to understand your situation and connect you with resources to ensure that your basic needs are met, including housing, health insurance, utilities, fuel, food, and more. Through support from ARES, some of what our consumers have received are:

  • Affordable housing
  • Accessing homelessness prevention services
  • Government benefits like SSI and SSDI
  • Health insurance
  • Assistive technology
  • Access to healthcare
  • Support navigating parenthood
  • Support navigating Elder Services
  • Fuel assistance
  • Communication access advocacy
  • Support with immigration and naturalization
  • Peer counseling
  • Long-term support services
  • Skills training, and much more

Health Support

There are two people side by side. On the left; A fair skinned woman with long brown hair pulled back is wearing a long sleeved black shirt. They are signing "support". On the right; there is a fair skinned woman with blonde straight shoulder length hair wearing long sleeved black shirt. The background is solid grey. The captions say "On limited basis, ARES also provides support with healthcare system navigation."

ARES provides long-term support service (LTSS) coordination to individuals referred to us by Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA), a One Care provider. CCA members who wish to receive Deaf-accessible LTSS coordination through DEAF, Inc. should contact CCA Member Services. On a limited basis, ARES also provides support with healthcare system navigation. We partner with other agencies to meet individual and community needs for health information and support.

There are two people side by side. On the left; A fair skinned woman with long brown hair pulled back is wearing a long sleeved black shirt. They are signing "support". On the right; there is a fair skinned woman with blonde straight shoulder length hair wearing long sleeved black shirt. The background is solid grey. The captions say "On limited basis, ARES also provides support with healthcare system navigation."

Senior Services

A fair skinned bald man with a beard. He is wearing a long sleeved orange shirt with grey vest over it. They are signing "support". The background is solid grey. The captions say "With support from ARES Advocates, older adults can remain involved in everyday activities.."

With support from ARES Advocates, older adults can remain involved in everyday activities and adapt to the communication and lifestyle changes accompanied by hearing loss (whether it is new or ongoing) and getting older. ARES can provide in-home assessments to identify assistive technologies for greater independence and safety at home, help identify potential financial benefits available to older adults, including health insurance, and more.

A fair skinned bald man with a beard. He is wearing a long sleeved orange shirt with grey vest over it. They are signing "support". The background is solid grey. The captions say "With support from ARES Advocates, older adults can remain involved in everyday activities.."

Collaboration with Other Service Providers

ARES Advocates often collaborate with local and state services and programs, such as MassHealth, Elder Services, housing authorities, immigration, healthcare providers, Social Security, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and more. If appropriate, ARES Advocates can work with you and your other service providers as a team so that you have maximum support.