WISCONSIN
RAPIDS, WI
– At 2-1-1 call centers all across the nation, people are
2-1-1
is an information and referral program that maintains a database of community
resources and connects callers with questions to the proper services or
organizations to meet their information needs. It is a number you can
dial (2-1-1) to receive information about community services. It is
especially helpful to callers who have a “spectrum” of needs due to an
emergency, such as loss of job or health issues.
“Callers
are able to make just ONE phone call and get all the information they need, and
speak to a caring resource specialist,” said Amy Fluno, 2-1-1 Program Director.
“The service is available 24/7, it’s free and it’s confidential.”
In
Wood County, 2-1-1 is a partnership between United Way of Inner Wisconsin and
Marshfield Area United Way; and covers 14 counties from Ashland County to
Juneau County.
You
can celebrate 2-1-1 on February 11th in a number of different ways:
·
LEARN
more about 2-1-1. Visit our website at www.uwiw.org/2-1-1. You can also sign
up for our e-newsletter and visit our 2-1-1 blog and online database of
services.
·
ADVOCATE
for a friend or relative who is having a difficult time. Call the 2-1-1
Call Center and ask about community resources that can help.
·
If
you are a government or non-profit agency, you can have your programs listed in
our database; and/or distribute our FREE materials, including fact cards,
posters and pens.
In
addition to connecting callers to local resources, 2-1-1 also tracks caller
needs and uses that information to analyze trends, such as identifying gaps in
services. This information can be used to help make program funding
decisions.
In
2016, our call center answered 3,866 (which is up from 3,644 calls in
2015). The top five needs were:
1.
Rent
Payment Assistance
2.
Food
Pantry Information
3.
Electric
Service Payment Assistance
4.
Low
Income Housing
5.
Gas
Money
For
more information, contact United Way’s 2-1-1 by calling 2-1-1 or 877-947-2211;
or visit www.uwiw.org/2-1-1.
Caption:
Mayor Zach Vruwink (right) presents the 2017 “2-1-1 Day Proclamation” to Amy
Fluno, United Way’s 2-1-1 Program Director, on Monday. Throughout
Wisconsin Rapids, residents are asked to get involved in 2-1-1 on February
11th, either by distributing 2-1-1 materials, advocating for someone who needs
help, or simply learning more about the community resource.
About
United Way’s 2-1-1
United
Way’s 2-1-1 is a FREE and confidential three digit number you can dial to
receive information and referral to local community resources. It is
available 24/7. Commonly asked questions range from “I cannot pay my
utility bill – who can help?” to “I need help caring for my loved one
with dementia.”
United
Way’s 2-1-1 is a non-profit organization based in south Wood County and is
governed collaboratively between United Way of Inner Wisconsin and Marshfield
Area United Way. The 2-1-1 call center serves Wood, Adams, Ashland,
Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Clark, Iron, Juneau, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor and
Washburn Counties.
