When you don’t know where to turn

We are your First Call For Help



We are here to help. Our goal is to help you
find resources for your needs.

Who We Are

First Call For Help is a free and confidential helpline located in Cape Girardeau and funded entirely by local partners including the United Way of Southeast Missouri

Learn More

How We Help

With a database of local social service agencies and programs, First Call For Help can assist you with locating resources for your needs.

Learn More

Who We Serve

First Call For Help has no income guidelines or restrictions on who can call the helpline.  We serve anyone in Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard, Bollinger and Perry counties.

Learn More

Success Stories

Yvonne was 32 and pregnant with her third child when she called. She was a stay-at-home mom who needed to return to work when her husband lost his job just one week before her due date. She would need to renew her nursing license but had no savings for the fee.  After working with Yvonne for three weeks, First Call For Help was able to find help for the renewal fee and nine other issues the family was facing.

Sarah is a single mom of 2 kids working a full-time job and waiting tables part time to make ends meet. In March 2020 when the CoronaVirus caused restaurants to shut down, Sarah lost her part-time job and her hours were cut at her full-time job. After several months, Sarah fell behind on her bills and was facing eviction.  First Call For Help located Covid Relief Funds to help Sarah pay her bills and keep her and her children in their home.

Derrick was a disabled man who was evicted from his home.  With no place to live, he used the last of his money to pay for a campsite at a local campground and pitched his tent.  He called First Call For Help in need of food and wood to burn for warmth and cooking.  First Call For Help found resources for these basic needs and through case assistance found additional services through a program for those that are homeless and disabled.

At age 51, Rochelle had worked full time at a local factory for 20 years. The factory closed down leaving Rochelle without health insurance.  She needed several prescriptions filled but had no income or savings to pay for them.  First Call For Help found resources for the medicine and also referred Rochelle to an employment program that trained her for a new career. 

We are your local connection to
resources that can help.

Cape Girardeau County Tall
Cape Girardeau County

We are your First Call For Help

Cape Girardeau County Landscape
Cape Girardeau County

We are your First Call For Help

Scott County Rodeo
Scott County

We are your First Call For Help

Bollinger County
Bollinger County

We are your First Call For Help

Stoddard County
Stoddard County

We are your First Call For Help

Perry County
Perry County

We are your First Call For Help