Looking for help? Call 2-1-1
2-1-1 is the number to call for just about anything.
The number is free and confidential, it links people with various types of human services they might need. Call operators are certified by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. The group of trained professionals are on staff day and night, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and on holidays. They receive approximately 100 calls per day and can assist you in various languages.
Staff members say they are not emergency services and are often confused with 411 information.
“A lot of times people misunderstand when they hear call 2-1-1 for assistance, we don’t actually provide direct assistance. We provide information for referral to let people know where to go to get help. Lately we have been getting a lot of calls for heating assistance but our scope of services is way beyond that. We help with utility assistance, where to go for low-income housing, rental assistance, where to go for medical bills, stuff like that.” Said Terry Thomma, 2-1-1 Call Center Manager.
Last year the call center received 10-thousand calls.
If for some reason you are unable to access 2-1-1 you can contact the call center directly at (866) 561-2500.