Have you ever heard of 211? It is a toll-free hotline that connects individuals to on a regular basis companies, from housing sources to utility cost help.
Looking the online can typically be overwhelming, particularly when you find yourself searching by a number of web sites in quest of the suitable data.
The 211 hotline is working to facilitate reference to well being and social companies.
WTTW Information visited a name middle.
“The area right here homes our contact middle,” stated Gabriel Garcia, director of the 211 Useful resource Navigation Heart. “Our workforce members right here play a task in our 211 operations by responding to callers in want.”
211 Metro Chicago is a toll-free 24-hour helpline serving Chicago and suburban Cook dinner County. It’s primarily a reference service with an in depth database of organizations and corporations.
“Housing is a very powerful, in response to our information; others are entry to meals,” stated García. “When somebody calls, we instantly ask for his or her zip code, the place they’re situated. From there we are able to say: ‘I do not know you probably have a automotive, or a bus card, however there’s a grocery retailer two blocks from your home.’”
Desni Holmes is among the useful resource navigators on the opposite finish of the road.
“I really went to high school for human companies, so that is what I wish to do to make a distinction,” Holmes stated.
That is how Holmes was in a position to assist South Aspect resident Derrick Macon discover assist along with his fuel invoice.
“If she gave me a quantity and these individuals did not reply, she would give me one other quantity,” Macon stated. “She had a pocket book with all these numbers and I stored calling.”
Macon contacted a church that helped him pay a portion of his utility invoice.
“I am grateful for her (Holmes),” Macon stated. “If it weren’t for her, I would not have fuel.”
Sean Garrett, president and CEO of United Method of Metro Chicago, spearheaded the initiative. It’s a mission pushed to information individuals by difficult conditions.
“We wish to say it is these on a regular basis emergencies that individuals name,” Garrett stated. “Then it could possibly be housing. It could possibly be meals. It could possibly be associated to a job. It could possibly be utility help. It actually runs the gamut of human companies. “Anybody in Cook dinner County can name 211 and connect with these sources.”
It’s a partnership between United Method, the town of Chicago and Cook dinner County.
“The service is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days per week,” stated Cook dinner County President Toni Preckwinkle. “We’ve got bilingual companies in English and Spanish, however no matter language you name, we are going to discover somebody who can translate for you.”
The middle has been in operation for nearly a yr and Garrett stated he hopes extra individuals benefit from it.
“These sources can be found,” Garrett defined. “It is about how we take people who find themselves in a time of want and join them.”
The 211 hotline has helped greater than 100,000 individuals all through Cook dinner County. The service is free and you’ll contact them by calling, texting or asking a query by the 211 Metro Chicago web site.