XXCAL history

In January 1977, the agency became incorporated as Call for Help – Suicide and Crisis Intervention Service, Inc.

Until February 1978, services were provided on a 24-hour basis by coordinating the Emergency Counseling Center’s 24-hour crisis phone line with one trained staff and a core of trained volunteers who provided face-to-face crisis intervention, emergency food, and safe housing in volunteer homes.

The rape crisis services expanded in 1983 to become the Sexual Assault Victims’ Care Unit.

Ownership of the building was placed under the Call for Help Foundation which had been incorporated in 1984 to hold agency assets.

Microtek Labs, established in 1986, is an internationally accredited, full-service testing laboratory servicing the materials, mechanical, and printed circuit board industry and operating from facilities in Anaheim and Linthicum Heights, MD.

By 1987, the Citizens for the Disabled was experiencing financial problems and could no longer maintain its lease, and Call for Help began looking for a new site to purchase.

In January 1988, Call for Help’s board negotiated the purchase of the former East St Louis Knights of Columbus building at 9400 Lebanon Road.

In 1990, the Technical Resources division was created with the acquisition of S&W Technical Services, a company specializing in nuclear power plant support.

In 1997, the Board of Directors purchased the current property at 706 W. Michigan Avenue with financial support from the Jackson Community Foundation, the Herrick Foundation, The Weatherwax Foundation, Hurst Foundation, Comerica Bank, Macsteel and an anonymous donor.

Recognizing the needs of homeless young women in crisis, the Transitional Living Center was established in 1998, and the Jobe Center was constructed.