Needing help looks different for everyone — a crisis, a health scare, food insecurity or simply a moment when things feel unmanageable. Stockton has a wide network of formal services and informal support systems that residents turn to every day. These resources are not a comprehensive list, but they do offer a starting point.
Map Legend – Finding Help in Stockton
Resources by category
Emergency and city services
Emergency shelter and housing
Medical and behavioral health
Social services and outreach
Youth and family programs
Women and family protection
Faith-based organizations
Start here (24/7 connectors)
Emergency: 911
211 San Joaquin (resources & referrals, 24/7): 211. If you can’t connect by dialing 211, call (800) 436-9997.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text/chat): 988
Emergency and city services
When a crisis hits — a crime, a fire, a sudden loss of housing or income — these are the first calls to make. City and county agencies form the foundation of the public safety net, connecting residents to both immediate response and longer-term assistance.
Stockton Police Department: Emergency response, investigations and community outreach
22 E. Market St. | (209) 937-8377 | stocktongov.com/police
Stockton Fire Department: Fire protection, medical aid, rescue, hazardous materials response
Fire administration: 400 E. Main St., fourth floor | (209) 937-8801
Fire prevention: (209) 937-8271 | stocktongov.com/fire
San Joaquin County Human Services Agency: County hub for public assistance programs, including CalFresh food benefits, Medi-Cal health coverage, CalWORKs employment support and family services
333 E. Washington St. | (209) 468-1000 | sjchsa.org
San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services: Mental health care and psychiatric crisis support
1212 N. California St. | (209) 468-8700 | 24-hour crisis: (209) 468-8686 | sjcbhs.org
Food and nutrition
Food insecurity is one of the most consistent needs across Stockton, and Stocktonia has documented the scale and coordination required to meet it.
Emergency Food Bank / Stockton Food Bank: One of the most utilized food resources in the region, offering food distribution, mobile pantries and emergency groceries to thousands of households monthly.
7 W. Scotts Ave. | (209) 464-7369 | stocktonfoodbank.org | 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday
Saint Mary’s Interfaith Dining Room: One of downtown Stockton’s most essential resources — serving three meals daily, seven days a week, to anyone in need. Also provides on-site medical and dental care and a hygiene center with showers and clean clothes.
545 W. Sonora St. | (209) 467-0703 | stmarysinterfaith.org
Second Harvest of the Greater Valley: Regional food bank; partner agency network
1220 Vanderbilt Circle, Manteca | (209) 239-2091 | localfoodbank.org
Salvation Army-Stockton: Food assistance, emergency financial help and community support programs
1305 E. Weber Ave. | (209) 948-8955 | stockton.salvationarmy.org | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday–Thursday
Bread of Life: A volunteer-driven nonprofit distributing supplemental groceries to more than 33 locations across San Joaquin County — including faith communities, schools, senior centers and shelters — serving an average of 7,000 people per month.
(209) 898-6911 | breadoflifeca.org | 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Emergency shelter and housing
For those without a safe place to sleep, Stockton has organizations that have been showing up — sometimes for decades — with beds, meals and a path forward. Neither turns anyone away based on income or background.
Gospel Center Rescue Mission: The oldest continuously operating low-barrier shelter in San Joaquin County, with more than 85 years of service. Offers emergency shelter for 350 people nightly, recovery programs, job training, clothing and a recuperative care program. Serves men, women and children.
445 S. San Joaquin St. | (209) 466-2138 | gcrms.org
Stockton Shelter for the Homeless: Emergency shelter for men, women and families, with day shelter, clothing, case management and referral assistance. Open 24 hours; intake 3:30-9 p.m.; intake rules and times can change, so it’s best to call ahead.
411 S. Harrison St. | (209) 465-3612
Medical and behavioral health
Physical and mental health crises don’t wait for convenient hours. Stockton’s hospitals offer around-the-clock emergency care, while outpatient programs provide more specialized support for those navigating mental health challenges, trauma or substance use.
St. Joseph’s Medical Center: Emergency and inpatient services (24/7 ER)
1800 N. California St. | (209) 943-2000 | dignityhealth.org/stjosephs-stockton
Dameron Hospital: Emergency and specialty services (24/7 ER)
525 W. Acacia St. | (209) 944-5550 | dameronhospital.org
HOPE Program: Outpatient treatment for mental health, substance use, trauma, domestic violence, mood and anxiety disorders, anger management and more
5403 N. Pershing Ave., No. 200 | (209) 425-5223 | hopeprogram.biz
Valley Community Counseling: Outpatient counseling services, primarily serving court-mandated clients and those navigating substance use and behavioral health issues
6707 Embarcadero Drive | (209) 956-4240 | valleycommunitycounselingservices.org
Community centers
Stockton’s community centers, operated through San Joaquin County’s Human Services Agency, serve as neighborhood anchors — offering food assistance, senior meals, cooling centers, activities for all ages and a consistent point of connection.
Garden Acres Community Center: Food assistance, senior meals, commodity distribution and cooling center services. Located on a community park with a playground and picnic areas.
607 Bird Ave. | (209) 468-3984
Taft Community Center: Serves seniors and families with meals, activities and cultural programming
389 Downing Ave. | (209) 468-4168
Boggs Tract Community Center: Daily food pantry (noon until food runs out), first-Thursday farmers market produce distribution, clothing and community barbecues for the surrounding neighborhood
533 S. Los Angeles Ave. | (209) 468-3978
Northeast Community Center: Food resources, senior services, homeless support
2885 E. Harding Way, Gianone Park | (209) 468-3918
Social services and outreach
These organizations work across the full spectrum of need — coordinating resources, filling gaps and reaching people where they are. Many serve as bridges between residents and the larger network of services available across the county.
United Way of San Joaquin County: Coordinating and funding programs across housing, education and health, the United Way is a backbone organization for the county’s broader safety net.
777 N. Pershing Ave., Suite 2B | (209) 469-6980 | unitedwaysjc.org
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Stockton: Emergency rent/utility assistance, food access, veteran housing support
Main office: 6777 Embarcadero Drive | (209) 444-5900 | ccstockton.org
Food pantry (Wednesdays only): 804 N. Hunter St. | (209) 444-5900
Open Arms Community Outreach: Pop-up wellness, learning and empowerment events
1048 W. Robinhood Drive | (209) 685-9693 | openarmsreach.org
Grace & Mercy Charitable Foundation: Community outreach and support services based in Lodi, serving the greater San Joaquin area
(209) 224-5273
Youth and family programs
Strong communities invest in their youngest members. These organizations offer structured programming, safe spaces and consistent adult presence for Stockton’s children and families — particularly after-school hours and on weekends.
The Table Community Foundation: Expanded learning, youth sports and community programs through their Merlo Community Center partnership
2529 W. March Lane, No. 204 | (209) 951-1753 | thetablecf.org
Downtown Stockton Alliance: Neighborhood activation and community programming, including LGBTQ+ Friday events, preschool story time and business support in the urban core
110 N. San Joaquin St. | (209) 464-5246 | downtownstockton.org
Women and family protection
PREVAIL (formerly Women’s Center–Youth & Family Services): Domestic violence/sexual assault support
(209) 465-4878 | weshallprevail.org
San Joaquin County District Attorney: Victim-witness advocacy and help navigating the justice process
222 E. Weber Ave., Room 101 | (209) 468-2500 | sjcda.org
Housing and legal help
California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) : Free/low-cost legal help, including housing/tenant support
(209) 946-0605 | crla.org
Tenants Together: Tenants’ rights hotline
(888) 495-8020 | tenantstogether.org
Stay informed with the latest news.
Keep up with high-quality reporting and information about Stockton and the surrounding area. Sign up to receive our Morning Briefing – and get our newsletter sent to your inbox three days a week. By clicking sign up, you agree to the terms.
Veterans
San Joaquin County Veterans Service Office: Benefits navigation and claims support
6221 West Lane | (209) 468-2916
Faith-based organizations
Stockton’s faith communities serve as some of the city’s most responsive and informal safety nets, meeting needs with fewer barriers and longer hours than many formal agencies.
Saint Mary’s Interfaith Dining Room (also listed under Food & Basic Needs): An interfaith ministry — not affiliated with a single denomination — that has served downtown Stockton for decades. Three meals daily, seven days a week.
545 W. Sonora St. | (209) 467-0703 | stmarysinterfaith.org
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church: One of Stockton’s most active faith-based community outreach hubs. Offers free showers (with an attendant, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday), mobile laundry service on Wednesdays and Fridays, bicycle repair and distribution through The HUB, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, street outreach via the Mercy Pedalers ministry and warming shelter services.
316 N. El Dorado St. | (209) 466-6916 | stjohnsstockton.org
The HUB: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday
Greater Christ Temple Provides food distribution six days a week to community members
1616 E. Main St. | (209) 943-0353 | 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday–Saturday
Valley Community Seventh-day Adventist Church: Food pantry, clothing distribution and community programs. Welcoming to all regardless of affiliation.
2929 S. B St. | (209) 944-9768 | valleycommunity.adventistfaith.org | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday–Saturday
Many additional congregations across Stockton partner with food banks, nonprofits and county agencies to host food drives, health clinics and informal care networks.
Outdoor and restorative programs
Recovery and resilience aren’t only found in waiting rooms. For some, healing happens on the water.
Delta Sculling Center: Adaptive rowing programs on the Delta waterways offer physical challenge, community and emotional restoration for participants of all abilities.
4950 Buckley Cove Way | (209) 607-9876 | deltasculling.org