Need help? Don't know where to turn?
Simply dial 2-1-1

Have you ever wondered how to find a community service when you or someone you know needs help? When you want to reach out and help by volunteering or donating, where do you turn? Who do you call? 2-1-1 is a 24-hour helpline that links callers with information specialists who connect them with important community services and volunteer opportunities and it is now available throughout New Jersey.

Every hour of every day, someone in the New Jersey needs essential services - from finding substance abuse assistance to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent. Faced with a dramatic increase in the number of agencies and help lines, people often don't know where to turn. In many cases, people end up going without these necessary and readily available services because they do not know where to start.

United Way of Greater Mercer County has long been the leader in providing information on human care services through its First Call for Help program. This program initially began in the 1980's offered residents of the county toll-free calling to one of its three regional telephone numbers.

"Unfortunately, remembering a seven or ten digit telephone number has always been a challenge" said Craig E. Lafferty, President/CEO. "In today's connected world, we needed to have something that was easy to remember" he went on to say. "When I need directory assistance, I dial "4-1-1", and in an emergency I can reach the police or fire department by dialing "9-1-1. And now when someone needs human services help it can be accomplished by simply dialing "2-1-1".

United Way of Greater Mercer County is working collaboratively with Info Line of Central Jersey to provide 24 hours, seven days-a-week help. Callers are connected with a trained Information and Referral Specialist who has an extensive database of services in Mercer and Middlesex County. "Callers to "2-1-1" seek a variety services" according to Steve Nagel, Executive Director, Info Line of Middlesex County. "Most callers are seeking emergency financial assistance, access to child day care, and other basic human needs".

While services that are offered through 2-1-1 vary from community to community, 2-1-1 provides callers with information about and referrals to human services for every day needs and in times of crisis. For example, 2-1-1 can offer access to the following types of services:

• Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.

• Support for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities: adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services.

• Support for Children, Youth and Families: childcare, after school programs, NJFamily Care (health insurance programs), family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.

• Physical and Mental Health Resources: health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, Children's Health Insurance Program, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation.

• Employment Supports: financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, and education programs.

The 2-1-1 helpline is accessible to everyone living and working in the State of New Jersey. Local 2-1-1 Call Centers are geographically distributed throughout the state, drawing on local based information and assistance expertise to provide access to a full range of resources. In the United States, 2-1-1 is being deployed state by state with advocacy and support provided by local United Ways. Currently, about 25% of the U.S. population has 2-1-1 access, and plans are focused on bringing 2-1-1 to 50% of the U.S. population by the end of 2005 and growing to 100% soon thereafter.

How 2-1-1 Changed a Life

A mother at age 15 and married by age 18, Kim was the victim of both sexual and physical abuse, and survived many failed suicide attempts.  Penniless and desperate, Kim found herself spending a night in a bus station with her four children, where she saw a poster for 2-1-1.  She called 2-1-1, and was referred to an organization that picked them up and found them shelter and clothes. 

Wanting more for her children, and realizing that she lacked proper job training and education, Kim dialed 2-1-1 again for help in finding a job.  Based on the 2-1-1 Specialist's referral, she was accepted into the job-training program.  After 17 weeks of job training and education, Kim earned her GED and received 13 job offers.

Today, Kim has almost finished her college education and is employed as a resource assistant in Outreach Education for a major hospital.  Kim works with pregnant or at risk teenage girls, and is making a difference in the lives of 300 to 400 teens every month.  Kim has recently remarried and owns her own home.

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