Survival & Community Resources
Resources for those struggling with poverty, homelessness, disability, healthcare access, and navigating social services. Whether you need immediate aid or long-term strategies, start here.
Mutual Aid Networks
Connect with networks that support each other directly.
Link
Description
r/MutualAid Active subreddit for requesting mutual aid, asking questions, and finding community support.
Mutual Aid 101 Toolkit (PDF) Essential reading. A step-by-step guide on how to build a mutual aid network in your own neighborhood.
Mutual Aid Group Resources Open-source library of templates, guides, and tools for running a mutual aid group (via Mutual Aid NYC).
Steal This Wiki - Survive A comprehensive collection of survival resources, direct action guides, and DIY living strategies.
Poverty & Homelessness
Government & Non-Profit Assistance
Link
Description
FindHelp.org Search by zip code for local food pantries, housing assistance, and financial help. Highly recommended starting point.
211.org Call 2-1-1 or visit the site for 24/7 confidential help with housing, food, and crisis support.
Lifeline Program Federal program providing discounted or free phone and internet service for low-income households.
SafeLink Wireless Free smartphone and service for those on SNAP/Medicaid.
LIHEAP Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Help with heating and cooling bills.
Gov Home Repair Programs Directory of federal assistance programs for home repairs and modifications (USA).
Furniture Bank Network Furniture Bank Network's map of North American furniture banks (a place where you can go to get free furniture if you cannot afford any).
Compudopt Provides free computers, internet connectivity, and technology education to under-resourced youth and communities.
Nolo: Renters' Rights Comprehensive legal encyclopedia covering lease laws, privacy, evictions, and repairs for all 50 states.
Food & Scavenging
Link
Description
FoodFinder Map of food pantries nationwide.
Feeding America Find your local food bank and holiday food boxes.
211 Food Finder United Way's essential resource for finding local food assistance.
Plentiful A free app to find food pantries and reserve times to avoid waiting in lines.
Falling Fruit A massive collaborative map of urban foraging locations. Find free fruit, nuts, and edible plants in your city.
r/DumpsterDiving Community advice, safety tips, and first-hand accounts of finding food and goods in the trash.
Wild Fermentation Guide to preserving food without refrigeration. Learn to make sauerkraut, pickles, and sourdough.
Safe Food Temp Chart Official USDA guide on safe internal temperatures for cooking meat and food handling. Essential for safety.
Eating Acorns Guide Guide on processing acorns (leaching tannins) to make them edible flour. A vital wild food skill.
Guerrilla Gardening Intro to planting food and pollinators in neglected public spaces.
Food Pantries List of food pantries within your city
Pantry Ready An interactive online tool meant for food pantry goers, to assist with meal planning
DIY Living & Hygiene
Knowledge for maintaining health, hygiene, and food security with limited resources.
Link
Description
Laundry "Spa Day" Guide A detailed breakdown of how to deep-clean clothes (stripping) to make them feel new again. Useful if you lack regular machine access or buy second-hand.
Washing Clothes Without a Washer Is Easier Than You Think An article detailing how to wash regular clothes by hand in a tub or basin
r/castiron How to take care of a cat iron skillet. Seasoning, repair, rust, etc.
Primitive Toothcare (Zine) A DIY guide to maintaining oral hygiene without modern dentistry. "Uncivilized" methods for tough situations.
Black Hair Care Tips Guide on textures, products, and protective styles. Written for foster parents, but good for anyone learning to care for Black hair.
Open Printer An open-source thermal printer project.
The Big Book of Everything A system for organizing your vital documents and information (financial, legal, medical) in case of emergencies.
Radical Survival
Disclaimer: The following resources cover legally gray or illegal activities like squatting and shoplifting. They are provided for educational purposes only. Kolvas does not encourage nor condone squatting or stealing!
Link
Description
It's Vacant, Take It! Essential guide on finding empty buildings, securing a squat, and dealing with property owners.
Squatters' Handbook Practical tips on the legalities of squatting, turning on utilities, and fighting evictions.
Beyond Squat or Rot Explores anarchist approaches to housing, focusing on cooperatives and collective living.
Shoplifting: The Art and the Science (PDF) Educational/Informational PDF. "This book is intended to raise consciousness of what shoplifting entails and what issues are linked to it."
Cloak & Dagger (PDF) Zine covering dumpster diving and other survival tactics.
Disability Resources
Resources for navigating the system as a disabled or neurodivergent person, plus DIY mobility solutions.
Link
Description
ABLE Today Tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities that allow you to save money *without* losing government benefits (like SSI/Medicaid).
How to Get On Self-advocacy guide for anyone homebound or bedbound in the US trying to get disability benefits.
Medicaid Eligibility Check your eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP by state.
Open Source Wheelchairs Free designs and resources for building your own accessible mobility devices, as well as links to wheelchair nonprofits and independent wheelchair makers.
Not A Wheelchair - Paradox Project" Custom manual wheelchairs starting at $999
Review Review Followup
Notes on Managing ADHD Practical strategies for managing life with ADHD without letting it conquer you.
Goons with Spoons A wiki of cooking resources and recipes designed for "spoonies" (people with limited energy/chronic illness).
AAC Image Library Augmentative and Alternative Communication resources for those who need non-verbal communication tools.
Can I Play That? Video game accessibility reviews for deaf, blind, and disabled gamers.
Autism’s Confusing Cousins Article by Awais Aftab exploring the blurry lines between autism, personality disorders, and trauma.
ASAN Resource Library Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Resources written by autistic people, for autistic people.
Autistic Guide to Voting (PDF) Accessible guide to navigating the voting process, registration, and rights for autistic people.
What to Expect at the Doctor and in the Hospital (PDF) Tips and advice (life hacks!) for autistic trans people about finding and going to doctors.
DOTS RPG Project - Braille RPG Dice
↳ Download Page
Free 3D printable braille RPG dice, like for Dungeons and Dragons. Also available for purchase.
OpenAPS The Open Artificial Pancreas System project. An open source effort to make safe and effective basic Artificial Pancreas System technology widely available to reduce the burden of Type 1 diabetes.
Tools for Independence Formerly known as "the Free White Cane and Free Slate and Stylus program," Tools for Independence offers a free white cane and a free slate and stylus to all blind or low-vision Americans in need.
Healthcare & First Aid
Free & Low-Cost Access
Link
Description
GoodRx Compare pharmacy prices and get free coupons to lower prescription costs significantly.
ScriptCycle Another option for prescription discounts.
New Eyes A program providing free glasses to youth and adults in need
Vision Care Financial Assistance Information A directory of websites, contact information and programs that provide financial assitance for eye/vision care.
EyeCare America Eyecare America provides underinsured and uninsured adults with one time referrals for free medical eye exams done by volunteer doctors.
Zenni Optical Affordable glasses online. Can be used to order eyewear without verifying a doctor's prescription (you can input your own numbers if you know them).
ZeeLool Very affordable eyeglasses online. Can be used to order eyewear without verifying a doctor's prescription. My prescription with standard single vision lenses was quoted at $18.35 including shipping.
First Aid Guides
Gynecological Care, Birth Control & Menstruation
Link
Description
Free the Pill Directory of where to get birth control pills online, including low-cost options.
Plan C Pills Guide to accessing abortion pills by mail in all 50 states. Safe and discreet.
Aid Access Ordering abortion pills online for shipping to the US (even restricted states).
Sterilization-Friendly Doctors Crowdsourced list of doctors who will perform tubal ligations/hysterectomies without gatekeeping.
Abortion Zines Archive Collection of zines covering self-managed abortion, history, and aftercare.
Opill The first FDA-approved over-the-counter birth control pill. No prescription required.
Alliance for Period Supplies Directory of local programs providing free menstrual products in the US.
r/PeriodPantry A subreddit dedicated to requesting and providing free menstrual products.
Planned Parenthood Many centers offer free pads, tampons, and cups upon request.
Put A Cup In It Quiz to help you find the right menstrual cup (reusable options save money long-term).
Homemade Reusable Cloth Pads Tutorial and FREE Pattern Approachable, if not a bit lengthy, reusable cloth pad tutorial. Can be completed in as little as 20 minutes for experienced seamsters.
Condoms, PrEP and STI testing
Link
Description
HIV.gov Locator Find testing sites, housing assistance, and health centers near you.
State PrEP Assistance Programs List of state-funded programs that help cover the cost of PrEP.
HeyMistr Free online PrEP and STI testing. Prescribed online and delivered to your door. Very LGBTQ+ friendly.
Freddie Online PrEP access. Get prescribed and delivered.
Gilead Advancing Access Manufacturer assistance program for covering the cost of Truvada/Descovy (PrEP).
How to Get Free Condoms GoodRx guide on locating free condoms in your area.
Misc
Link
Description
VitaminDWiki Comprehensive, science-based information on Vitamin D supplementation (for those who don't get enough sun/outdoors time).
LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory A searchable database of doctors and providers in the USA who have verified they are queer-safe and competent.
Healthcare Bill of Rights A wallet-sized PDF you can print that lists your legal rights as a queer patient. Good to carry with you.
Kids Help Phone (Canada) 24/7 mental health support for youth. Excellent self-guided resources for anxiety, depression, and crisis.
Education & Employment
Link
Description
Honest Jobs Employment marketplace specifically for people with a criminal record.
freeCodeCamp Learn to code for free and earn certifications.
Open Learn Free courses on a huge variety of topics, many with certificates of completion.
Atomic Hands STEM education resources in ASL (American Sign Language).
Be There Certificate Free, self-paced course on how to recognize when someone is struggling with their mental health and how to support them.
University of the People A WSAC and BPPE accredited online university without tuition costs - students still pay price of classes. Scholarships available.
Immigration
Safety Note: If you are undocumented, be careful sharing personal details online. Use a VPN and Tor Browser when researching legal options.
Noticia de Seguridad: Si usted no tiene documentos o papeles, que tenga cuidado cuando este compartiendo detalles personales en linea. Use un VPN y/o el browser TOR para investigar opciones legales.
Site
Description
ICE List "The ICE List Wiki is a public, verifiable record of immigration enforcement activity in the United States."
Immigration Equality The leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization. Provides direct free legal representation to asylum seekers.
Know Your Rights with ICE Crucial guides on what to do if ICE comes to your home, work, or stops you on the street. Available in multiple languages.
National Immigrant Justice Center Provides legal services specifically for LGBTQ+ immigrants, including those in detention centers.
LGBT Asylum Project San Francisco-based group helping LGBTQ+ immigrants seeking asylum in the US. Great for high-risk cases.
Disclaimer & Legal Notice
Educational Purpose Only: Kolvas (including "We," "Us," "Our Website," and "The Website") provides this information solely for educational, informational, and harm reduction purposes. We do not endorse, encourage, or support any illegal activities. Users assume full responsibility for their actions and use this information entirely at their own risk. Kolvas cannot be held liable for any direct or indirect consequences arising from the use of the information provided here.
Copyright & DMCA Compliance: We do not host copyrighted or illegal materials on our servers. All content on this website is protected under our constitutional right to free speech and self-expression. We respect intellectual property rights and will comply with valid DMCA takedown requests. If you believe your copyrighted material has been posted without authorization, please contact us at k0lvas@proton.me for removal.
Non-Affiliation: Kolvas is a grassroots community resource. We are not associated with, funded by, or affiliated with any terrorist organization, hate group, or violent extremist entity. We firmly condemn all acts of terrorism, violence, and bigotry, whether domestic or international.
Acceptance of Terms: By accessing and using this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms.
A Note on Our Geographic Focus
This manual is made by Americans, for Americans. Most resources are US-specific due to our worsening political climate. International folks may still find value here, but be aware that laws, services, and contexts will differ in your region.
