|
2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember
telephone number that can
connect people who need help
with critical services or
connect people who want to
volunteer with volunteer
opportunities. Currently, 23
percent of the country is
covered by a 2-1-1 system,
with more areas coming on
line this year. Westmoreland
region is not one of them.
The United Way of
Westmoreland County, I & R
agencies, and other United
Way agencies are teaming up
to bring people together and
change that.
An active, robust 2-1-1
system has some obvious
advantages for people in
crisis. It is easy to get
help. No more wrong numbers
or not knowing where to turn
among the multitude of
nonprofits, government
agencies and help escaping
from an abusive
relationship, knowing those
three simple numbers can be
the key to getting you the
help you need.
In these days of terrorism
alerts and Code Orange,
2-1-1 can serve as a crisis
response tool for the entire
community as well. 2-1-1 can
be integral to the
community’s response to a
widespread crisis like an
attack, flood, tornado, fire
or other tragedy. When these
unfortunate events occur,
the community can respond
quickly and get those
affected the help they need.
2-1-1 is for everyone, not
just people and communities
in crisis. You can use it
any time. If you are new to
the area and are trying to
connect to employment
services or looking for
daycare and after school
programs for children, 2-1-1
can connect you. If you
would like to give back to
the community, 2-1-1 is a
way to find an opportunity.
The data gathered by
tracking 2-1-1 calls can
help communities learn what
the most pressing community
needs are or what types of
volunteer opportunities are
in highest demand.
In Westmoreland County,
there are two different
information and referral
lines, neither of which
operates 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. Furthermore,
many social service agencies
are spending valuable
resources trying to help
callers find the contact
information for the services
they are seeking. The 2003
Community Needs Assessment
completed by the United Way
of Westmoreland County
identified “lack of
awareness” as the major
barrier that prohibits folks
from accessing the services
they need and are looking
for. Additionally, the
United Way’s Impact Council
aimed at Building Strong
Neighborhoods and
Communities has identified
implementation of 2-1-1 as
the most plausible strategy
to remove the major barrier
for people in need of
essential services. The only
way that the Westmoreland
region will get 2-1-1 is if
you ask for it, and
encourage your friends,
neighbors and others to do
the same. Call 1-888-PASS211
and let Congress know that
this is important. In
addition, you can go to
www.211.org and click on
“Get Involved” to find out
more about how you can make
2-1-1 happen in the
Westmoreland region.
|
