Which way to turn? 211 Program helps people in need find appropriate social services
By CATHLEEN F. CROWLEY, Staff writer First published in print: Friday, November 27, 2009
ALBANY -- You know the number to call when your house is on fire -- 911. But where do you call when you are getting evicted from your home, you can't pay for food or you've fallen behind on utility bills? In the Capital Region, you can call 211. The 211 hot line was launched in April, and call volume has inched up from 870 calls the first month to 1,050 in October. "More and more people are facing joblessness," said Jill Ordonez, director of the United Way 211 Northeast Region. "People who have never had to access services before are suddenly finding themselves in dire economic shape."
The 211 volunteer operators interview callers and find programs for which they may qualify, such as legal assistance, food stamps or utility bill discount programs.
"The calls we usually take are not happy calls," she said. "The people are really struggling."
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