Family Resource Center provides place for people in South Cape to gather for meals, seek assistance

Pat King watches more than 100 people come to the Cape Area Family Resource Center at 1202 S. Sprigg St. each week. Because many of those coming to the center are regulars, she has gotten to know them and knows how their lives are affected by the programs the center offers.

Some are young people needing help with homework and a safe place to hang out after school until their parents come home. Others are young parents needing to improve their parenting skills. Still others are senior citizens who need food, health screenings or information that will help them deal with various issues.

"What we try to do is connect people on the south end of Cape with resources they need to be successful," said King, who serves as community development associate and director of the after-school program.

The Family Resource Center is among 40 agencies that benefit from funding from the United Way of Southeast Missouri, which kicked off its 2009-2010 fundraising campaign Thursday.

"Without the United Way, we wouldn't be able to do what we do," King said. "If you want to see what the United Way does, come down and see what we do."

Mary Jackson, 75, is one of about a dozen seniors who regularly attend the Thursday seniors luncheon. At the potluck lunch, seniors share experiences in coping with the problems facing them. They benefit from visits from health care professionals who conduct screenings and present information on health issues that affect seniors. They also receive visits from experts that volunteer to present information to the group on a variety of issues of special interest to them.

"I've been going down there for years," Jackson said. "It's the highlight of my week."

In addition to the practical information presented at the luncheon, Jackson enjoys the association of others in the group.

"If you enjoy being with people, it gives you something to do besides just sitting at home."

More than 60 seniors take advantage of the USDA surplus food distributed at the center. King said those age 62 and older can fill out an application for the food, but there are currently more qualified applicants than there is food available.

About 20 to 25 children participate in the after-school program, which runs from 3:30 to 5:30 four afternoons a week. Volunteer tutors help youngsters with homework, and the center provides a snack, exercise and other activities to give them structure and keep them off the streets.

While the local United Way chapter remains committed to funding programs that strengthen families through the three pillars of education, income and health, more of an emphasis will be placed this year on programs that provide basic needs. Discussions about funding priorities for the coming year culminated in the selection of basic needs as the most urgent need in the community.

"We have a lot of people requiring basic needs, like food and shelter," executive director Nancy Jernigan said. "We still have our eyes set on the future, but this year we're keeping in mind basic needs."

The Salvation Army, one of the agencies that benefits from United Way support, has reported that the number of people asking for help from them for the first time has doubled in the past year, Jernigan said.

As a result, agencies such as the Salvation Army, the Cape Area Family Resource Center and others that feed, clothe and house people will be a special focus of United Way funding.

The local organization's goal this year, announced Thursday, is $1.2 million, which would represent a slight increase over the $1,184,000 raised during the previous campaign. That number was about seven percent short of the goal of $1,275,000.

While financial donations are needed, Jernigan said volunteers play a large role in the programs the United Way funds.

"Your time is just as valuable as your money," Jernigan said. "A lot of people can benefit from your skills and experience."

According to an Aug. 25 news release, "many new volunteer activities are being created and promoted through the United Way and media partners."

Want to get involved?

Contact the United Way to see where services are needed. By phone-573-334-9634, online at www.unitedwayofsemo.org or visit their offices at 430A Broadway, Cape Girardeau.