February 11th is National

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Posted by: David Duke
Date: Feb 09 2012 3:01 PM

February 11th is the National Day recognizing the powerful resource that local 2-1-1 call centers are to connecting residents to crucial health and social services throughout the year. Every hour of every day, hundreds of people need essential human services - they are seeking help with basic needs, child care, healthcare, finding volunteer opportunities, crisis support, counseling, donations, information on government services and more. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with these important community services and volunteer opportunities. The implementation of 2-1-1, www.211us.org, is spearheaded by United Ways and information and referral agencies in states and local communities. Last year, 2-1-1 Centers across the nation answered more than 15.7 million calls. Callers requesting help with food comprised 10% of these calls. In addition to food needs, the majority of callers requested help with other basic needs—such as assistance with utilities, housing and healthcare. The Hunger in America study found that nearly half of those surveyed said they had to choose at least once in the last 12 months between buying food or paying utilities. More than three quarters of client households with children are food insecure, meaning they do not always know where they will find their next meal. Similarly, a January survey of 2-1-1 found that 86% of 2-1-1s across the country reported receiving more calls from individuals who have never used 2-1-1 before. Furthermore, approximately 90% reported receiving more calls from callers who have never before accessed any type of basic needs service (food pantries, rent assistance, utility assistance, public assistance benefits).Since opening the Dothan Wiregrass United Way 2-1-1 Call Center in July of 2008 through December 2011, residents from the Wiregrass have made 40,135 calls to 2-1-1. 75,351 referrals to partner agencies have been provided to those callers by the 2-1-1 staff. Wiregrass United Way 2-1-1 works with approximately 800 agencies/programs to help meet the needs and improve the quality of life for so many people within our communities. WUW 2-1-1 maintains a databa se of health and human services throughout 7 counties in southeast Alabama that includes: Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, & Houston counties.2-1-1 is a simple way to connect people here in the Wiregrass with non-profit, social service and government agencies when they need help, or when they want to help. The number operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and is a free service. If dialing 2-1-1 doesn’t work from your phone, dial 1-888-421-1266. Thank you Wiregrass for your continued support of the Wiregrass United Way 2-1-1 program. For additional information, visit www.w211.cfsites.org or contact David Duke at 334-836-1963.


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