Resources
- After School Programs
- Budgeting
- Cell Phone Service
- Clothing
- Employment
- Extracurricular Activities
- Food
- General Needs
- Housing
- Life Coaching
- Medical
- Refugee Support
- Responsive Services
- Utilities
After School Programs
Adventure Club - Adventure Club is a fee-based after-school program held on-site at each elementary school. Contact Adventure Club directly to enroll your child.
101 Park DeVille Drive Suite D
Columbia, MO 65203
573. 884.2582
Boys & Girls Club - The Boys & Girls Club provides after-school childcare for boys and girls aged 6-18. For more information or to join the club, visit the website.
Moving Head Youth Program - The Moving Ahead Program provides after-school tutoring and cultural and physical activities for students from kindergarten through 8th grade. The program is offered from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the J.W. Blind Boone Center. Some transportation is available.
Budgeting
Budgeting Assistance
The Love, Inc. Extra Mile Financial Management Coaching Program is a free, one-on-one, four-month coaching program for individuals who are motivated to gain control of their finances and build new relationships. Participants form effective money management habits through weekly practice of new skills and guidance of their Coach. Participants work with their Coach and Love INC staff to set goals, identify barriers to achieving those goals and move forward in life.
Cell Phone Service
Free Telephone Services
Safelink Wireless
Free phone program which provides either a cell phone or a landline.
Qualifying for SafeLink Wireless
The Lifeline program is available to eligible consumers in selected states and territories. Actual requirements vary by state, but in general, to qualify for Lifeline, subscribers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in one of the following assistance programs:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP).
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8).
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
- The National School Lunch Program's Free Lunch Program.
- Other assistance programs in your state.
Missouri Lifeline
Free cell phone program for those at or below the 135% poverty guidelines.
Budget Mobile LifeLine offers government-assisted wireless services to low-income families and individuals in Missouri. Qualified customers will receive a free cell phone plus 250 free minutes and 250 free texts every month. We offer LifeLine discounts to qualified MO customers who meet certain eligibility requirements, such as government assistance or a household income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty level. Budget Mobile LifeLine is limited to one per household and cannot be combined with any other LifeLine offering.
Show Me State residents, get a FREE CELL PHONE from Budget Mobile under the Missouri LifeLine program. Each eligible customer will receive a free phone, 250 free minutes every month, and 250 free texts every month. Budget Mobile will provide a NO CONTRACT PHONE when you sign up for LifeLine phone service.
Clothing
Clothing Resources
The Wardrobe
715 PARK AVENUE
COLUMBIA, MO 65201
442-3260
Clothing
The Wardrobe Inc. was established in 1970 to provide good used clothing at a nominal cost to the general public and to meet emergency needs of individuals referred by agencies, churches, and schools. Used clothing may be chosen free of charge on Tuesday Referral Day from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. by clients referred to us. Referral clients receive a quarterly allotment of items and return any Tuesday for items. The referral sheet is valid for a year unless there is a change in household structure, and is kept on file at The Wardrobe Inc. office. Each family should have ONE (1) referral. If you believe your family would benefit from a referral to the Wardrobe, please contact your child's school counselor or home-school communicator directly.
Shoes
During February and August, the Wardrobe provides families an opportunity to directly purchase one shoe voucher worth $20 per school-aged child (K-12) from the Wardrobe for an out-of-pocket cost of $4. The $20 value shoe voucher can be redeemed at Payless Shoes. To participate in this offering, the family referral sheet on file at The Wardrobe Inc. must be current, thus issued no earlier than the previous September. Please contact the Wardrobe directly for information about the February and August dates.
Employment
Employment Resources
Upscale Resale - Operated by the Assistance League of Mid-Missouri assists parents with clothing needed for employment.
W. Broadway Shopping Center
1729 W. Broadway
Columbia, MO 65203
Job Point Works - Offers free classes to prepare for employment, plus ongoing employment support.
Contact Sonja Marbury
573-777-1565
Extracurricular Activities
Student Activities
The Columbia Youth Basketball Association is a non-profit recreational youth basketball program for boys and girls in grades 2-12. The program offers skill clinics in the fall for boys and girls in grades 2 & 3, as well as season play for grades 3-12. In addition. the program offers scholarships for those needing financial assistance. For more information, please visit the Columbia Youth Basketball Association website.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri matches children ages 6 through 14 with mentors in professionally supported one-to-one relationships. The Community-Based Mentoring Program offers an opportunity for students to meet with an adult mentor for as little as 2 to 3 hours per week to share in fun community-based activities. To enroll your child in this program, visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters website.
Food
Food Assistance
Buddy Pack Program - The Buddy Pack Program is designed to get nutritious food to students who rely on free or reduced-price lunches throughout the school year. Buddy Packs are sent home weekly and consist of a variety of ready-to-eat items. Contact your child's school counselor or home school communicator to begin receiving a buddy pack.
Central Pantry - The Central Pantry offers food free of charge to families in need. The Pantry is set up like a grocery store, allowing families to shop for the food they need. Visit the Food Bank website for more information about how to enroll in this program.
Free or Reduced Lunch - Your child may qualify for a free or reduced lunch price based upon family income guidelines.