For hundreds of thousands of Bay Area residents, 211 is a vital lifeline connecting them to important services like food, housing and employment assistance.
This fall, United Way will launch this one-stop phone number in San Mateo County, making our dream of a Regional 211 system a reality. People all over the Bay Area will easily connect to the help they need. The ongoing recession means this couldn’t come at a better time. Across the Bay Area, calls for help have risen sharply. Last year 211 calls were up 39% – with 55% of those being for basic needs, such as clothing, food, and shelter.
211’s trained specialists help callers–who often have more than one need–navigate the complex web of programs and services that serve our region. For example, a caller who is looking for help paying her utility bill may also need help finding a job -training program.
“Without 211, many people, including those who do not speak English, give up on trying to find help they so badly need,” San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier said. “211 is easily remembered and gives that one point of contact so people get the help they need.”
