You know to dial 911 for emergencies. And you know to call 411 to find a phone number or address. But do you know about 211, the service that was created for people in need o help fro a social service agency? You can find information and referrals on everything from crisis intervention and counseling to job training, education programs, and child or adult day care simply by dialing 211 anytime, day or night, says Kelly Levy, director of United Way of America's 2-1-1 project.
United Way of America and the Alliance of Information & Referral Systems have championed the 211 movement, which started in Atlanta in 1997. Today about 46 percent of the U.S. population has access to the free 211 service in parts or all of 32 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and some areas of Canada. Thirteen states have 100-percent access, while only certain counties do in others. Even those states with no 211 systems are in various planning stages for starting it.
Some of the biggest 211 success stories occurred last year in hurricane-ravaged Florida. One example: Lauren Baker, a Miami single mother of four, found herself without power, a refrigerator full of spoiled food, and a closet with water-soaked clothes. Her hours at work were cut because the storms slowed business, and she had no paycheck to cover her food, clothing, or rent. Baker called 211 and the call specialist hooked her up with the Red Cross, which provided food and clothing for her family.
So if your town or state doesn't have 211 service, what do you do? Call your congressional representative and your local elected officials and tell them you want it. United Way of America has a toll-free phone number, 888/727-7211, through which you can contact your congressional representatives. "For society, this is a better way of helping each other, " Levy says.
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