Content added Feb. 18, 2025

Voluntary Action Center is a local non-profit responding to the basic needs of the individuals within our community. VAC services and eligibility flyer

Financial Assistance: Baby formula, gas, food handler cards, health and dental co-payments, minor car repair, Missouri birth certificates, photo ID’s, prescriptions and work uniforms and/or tools.

Services provided 9 am - 12 pm and 1 pm - 4 pm.
Walk-ins: M-T-Th-F.
Scheduled appointments - Wednesday. Call 573-874-2273 to schedule an appointment.

403 A Vandiver
Columbia, Mo 65202
573-874-2273

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Content added Feb. 7, 2025

The Day Dreams Foundation eliminates financial barriers to participating in extracurricular activities and promotes healthy lifestyles, goal setting, academics, teamwork and respect for others. Our goal is for every child can fulfill their dream of participating in an extracurricular activity without ever worrying about the cost.

1 E Broadway, Suite C
Columbia, MO 65203
573-214-2600

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Content added Feb. 7, 2025

Rolla Senior Apartments provide an independent lifestyle filled with friends, activities, and tree-lined streets. Spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments are available, and new updates include vinyl plank flooring, carpeting, blinds, air conditioning, garbage disposal, and all are cable ready. The kitchen is well-equipped with a full-size range, refrigerator, and microwave oven.

Catering toward an elderly independent living community, Rolla Senior Apartments requires a minimum age of 62 and monthly rent is based on the renter’s income. The property is conveniently located near shops, restaurants, and medical facilities.

1101 McCutchen Rd.
Rolla, MO 65401
(573) 364-6820

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Content updated Feb. 24, 2026

Cars 4 Heroes is a registered nonprofit that provides free vehicles to veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families if they do not have the means to obtain their own. They’ve also added an option for civilians and first responders to apply.

Those interested in applying for a free car from Cars 4 Heroes can do so on the website. Required information on the application includes:

· Name and contact
· Military status and service (if applicable)
· Honors and discharge
· Military ID photo
· Details about need

The application form also asks questions like:
· “How would a vehicle change the recipient's life? Why does the recipient need a vehicle?”
· “How many people does the vehicle need to accommodate?”
· “Number of children in need of a car seat

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Content added March 26, 2026

Candidates for a NABC Recycled Ride® vehicle cannot self-nominate. They need to be nominated, or “sponsored” by a charity that knows them and is familiar with their situation.

We rely on our charity partners to know the people they nominate and to select good people to bring forward. People who are who they say they are, that the information they provide is accurate, and that they will pass a background check for a clean criminal record and clean driving record. We are looking to provide a gift that truly changes someone’s life, not a second household vehicle.

Amanda Santos, NABC Recycled Rides® Gifting Coordinator, asantos@nationalautobodycouncil.org

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Content updated Feb. 24, 2026

The way we work is changing - so the way we get to work should, too. Commute with Enterprise is a flexible corporate vanpool program that helps ease the daily commute and increase commuter savings along the way.

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Content added Jan. 27, 2025

Missouri Vocational Enterprises is driven by the success of the individuals that were once incarcerated within the Department of Corrections and were able to receive meaningful employment upon release.

Our unique program is tailored to offenders to help them acquire vocational skills and job skill education. Missouri Vocational Enterprise's success isn't just about the high quality of the products that are created, but it's about the people who make those products! We believe in service and see the value in Missouri's offender population.

They sell hundreds of manufactured products: bed & bath, chemicals and dispensers, consumables, chairs, clothing, textiles, engraving and fine arts, flags, furniture, metal products, printing, signs, decals, stickers. Products list.

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Content added Jan. 21, 2025

For too long, people with disabilities could not save for the future out of fear of losing needed government benefits. The disability community fought long and hard to change this, and together we’ve come up with a solution. A STABLE account through MO ABLE is a way for Missourians to save for qualified expenses, invest for future needs, and keep the benefits you rely on every day.

Missouri State Treasurer
201 West Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65219
M-F   8:00 am to 5:00 pm
(573) 751-4943
Email: yvonne.rydman@treasurer.mo.gov

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Content added Jan. 10, 2025

A website which provides information on connecting with organizations that assist with the following:

Affordable Places to Live
Disaster Relief
Homelessness
Homeownership
Housing Quality & Improved Living Conditions
Rent Relief and Eviction Resources
Report Housing Discrimination
Speak to a Housing Counselor

Crisis Hotline numbers

Visit Missouri's info homepage

Fathers and father-figures

Content updated June 25, 2025

Good Dads offers a variety of resources for fathers and father-figures, including fatherhood skills classes, events, workplace programs and a huge library of online resources like blogs, podcasts and conversation starters.

Any and all fathers can benefit from Good Dads resources. Dads with students in elementary schools will love participating in Good Dads Strong Schools, a monthly before-school activity focused on building relationships and character. Working fathers can dive into relevant fatherhood topics in our Essential Good Dads Playbook, Fundamentals for Good Dads. Fathers facing challenges to being Good Dads, histories of incarceration, persistent poverty, addiction or child support challenges, are welcome to participate in our rigorous responsible fatherhood program, New Pathways for Good Dads.

Love Columbia Center
1209 E. Walnut St
Columbia, MO  65201
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mon-Fri
Email: hannah@gooddads.com
(417) 501-8867 x 300

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Content updated May 7, 2025

Summer Academy serves students 3-12 years old. Learning and fun are combined using IXL educational enrichment. This software is a teaching tool that continually enhances participants’ mathematic and language arts skills and helps decrease potential learning loss that can happen during summer downtime. The summer program also includes a nutritious breakfast, lunch, educational enrichment, Science and discovery projects, swimming, and weekly field trips.

The summer session is from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm and runs June 2nd – August 8th , 2025. Cost is $150 a week per student with limited scholarships available. UCB Academy also accepts Mo State Child Care Subsidy. 

7:30 am to 5:30 pm
617 N Providence Road
Columbia, Mo 65203
573-447-7351
Email: ucschoolhouse@ucbuilders.org

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Content added Sept. 26, 2025

Expanding mental health support through the power of volunteers

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support in English and Spanish in the United States. Every day, volunteer Crisis Counselors help thousands of people deal with depression, anxiety, bullying, suicidal thoughts and other challenges. And they do so through a confidential, accessible medium that is regularly used by many, especially teens and young adults.

Learn more about Crisis Text Line

Content updated Dec. 18, 2025

Grieving children and teens

We work with organizations to provide a care pack of grief activities and books for children and teens who are grieving the death of parent, sibling, or other significant caregiver. Downloadable materials are available free to individuals on our website.

Email: katesheartorg@gmail.com

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Content updated Jan. 9, 2026

Missouri statute about reimbursements for emergency care for undocumented individuals. Emergency MO HealthNet Care for Ineligible Aliens provides coverage for emergency medical care of aliens who meet all eligibility requirements for a federally-funded MO HealthNet program except citizenship/alien status. Ineligible aliens are eligible only for the dates of the emergency medical care.

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Low-income housing

Content added Dec. 4, 2024

400 East Marion Street
Otterville MO, 65348
Contact Name: Vincent John Tucci
949-274-0169

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Content added Nov. 4, 2024

NEW 2024 - Home Weatherization Grant Program

Housing & Neighborhood Services - Columbia City Council
The City of Columbia is excited to announce the launch of a new Home Weatherization Grant Program to help residents maximize energy savings and increase the value of their homes. The Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 to low- to moderate-income home-owners that can be used for insulation upgrades thereby producing savings in energy consumption and utility bills and improving the home’s health, safety and comfort. The full cost of the upgrades will be paid for by the City, with no cost to the resident.

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Foster, adoptive, and kinship children, young adults, and families in Central Missouri

Content updated Nov. 26, 2025

Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association (CMFCAA) is a state-recognized Family Resource Center serving 24 counties across central Missouri. We provide ten comprehensive, free programs that reduce barriers for children in foster care, adoption, or kinship care. Our work focuses on equipping families with the tools, support, and resources they need to create stable, nurturing homes where children can thrive.

We offer a wide range of services including:
- Physical resources like clothes, beds, dressers, and shoes
- Support groups and training for foster and adoptive parents
- Advocacy and legal assistance
- Educational resources and tutoring
- Mental health and wellness programs
- Respite care and emergency support
- Community events and family activities

M-F, 8am-5pm
3620 Interstate 70 Dr SE
Columbia, MO 65201
573-298-0258
Email: info@cmfcaa.com

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Families who would like their young children to start to learn the 2nd most spoken language in the United Stated when their brains are most ready and able to benefit.

Content updated Dec. 4, 2025

Escuelita Alegría Spanish Immersion Preschool is a year-round all day, play based Spanish Immersion preschool for children ages two through six. No previous Spanish experience is necessary. All lead teachers have at least one college degree and are native speakers.

We also offer summer care by the week from May - August for ages two - eight.

M-F, 7:30am-5:30pm
16 Hitt Street
Columbia, MO 65201 (We are located inside of First Presbyterian Church, renting space in their Child Development Center)
(573) 823-8085
Email: info@easipreschool.com

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Content added Oct. 18, 2024

We provide basic home care services such as light housekeeping, light cooking, help with hygiene, grooming, bathing, etc. We do not provide medical assistance but happy to help with any in home services we can provide to help those that are in need of our assistance.

Beth Bowles, Executive Director, available 24/7
3610 Buttonwood Drive
Columbia, MO 65201
(573)801-8129
Email: bethbowles@villagecaregiving.com

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Health and Wellness>Substance Use> Recovery Support Services (NOT faith-based and not 12-step.)

Content updated May 26, 2026

SMART Recovery meetings provide support for addiction to all types of problematic behaviors including drugs, alcohol, gambling, cigarettes, food, and more. SMART Recovery meetings are free and are guided by trained facilitators.

Meeting info:
Wednesday at 5pm - Fresh Start Clubhouse, 1107 Grand Ave
(573) 819-8839
Email: rebekah@stonebridgehouse.org

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