It's National 211 Day

Thursday, 11 February 2021 at 13:07

211 is a free service that will help you connect and find information about community and social services.

OXFORD COUNTY - It's 211 Day across North America.

Locally the free service is available to everyone in Oxford County and is a great resource to access local information. The service has expanded to all corners of the Country and was first launched in Oxford County with the help of the local United Way in 2010.

Executive Director for In Communities, the organization responsible for 211 in Central and South Ontario Tammy Dumas says the service is now available nation wide.

"211 is an initiative of United Way and this year, through Federal funding, we have been increase capacity across Provinces where 211 already existed and in Provinces where it didn't. In Ontario, 211 Central South, for example is one of 6 regional providers in Ontario."

She 211 is more important now, than ever.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the benefit of 211 for people, sadly, COVID-19 has put many people in the position and the pandemic, the lockdown and other things related to it have put people in a position to need support for the first time in their life. The people that call 211, generally speaking are looking to be connected for services they need and one of the things people are calling 211 about during the pandemic is information about Government programs."

You can call 211 for free to find information about the following:

- When you need non-emergency support dial 2-1-1.
- 211 is a free, confidential, nationwide service that connects people to critical social and community supports.
- 211 acts as the front door to support, helping people navigate the complex network of government and community programs and services quickly to find what they need for their unique situation.
- 211 service is accessible 24 hours a day and in over 150 languages.
- When you dial 2-1-1 you are connected to a trained professional who will listen to you and help you find the right information and supports.
- 211 has local data to ensure callers are being directed to services in their own communities.

You can call 211, the same way you would call 911 and operators are standing by to take your call.