211 Day increases awareness of valuable service in Peterborough & District
211 has answered more than 9,247 calls, text, chats or emails from local residents since it’s launch
February 11 is 211 Day across North America, a day for United Way, 211 service providers and their supporters to raise awareness of this valuable service in the community.
211 launched in Peterborough and the surrounding area in 2009. Locally funded by United Way Peterborough & District, the City of Peterborough and the County of Peterborough , 211 helps residents in Peterborough, North Kawartha, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, Asphodel-Norwood, Cavan Monaghan, Otonabee South Monaghan, Trent Lakes, Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation and Douro-Dummer connect with the right services at the right time, providing an important gateway to community, social, non-clinical health, and related government services.
information and the right referral for what you need.“ It can be so hard to ask for help,” said Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough & District. “More importantly…when you are ready to ask for help, it is critical to have the right information and the right referral for what you need.” 211 is a lifeline for those difficult life circumstances anyone of us might encounter. Our community and government agencies offer many services. 211 addresses one of the challenges people face, helping them to know where to turn for their specific needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of 211. With government programs changing regularly, and community-based programs and services adapting to meet evolving public health guidelines, 211 helps people navigate the complex network of support.
Calls, texts, chats and emails to 211 increased by 17% in 2021, with Community Navigators answering more than 350,000 inquiries from Ontarians looking for help finding information, programs, services or government supports. Locally, an average of 152 individuals were helped each month last year. The top five needs identified by 211 Navigators locally were:
- Health
- Housing
- Income Support/Financial Assistance
- Information Services
- Mental Health & Addictions
211 Day reminds residents how to ’make the right call’. Encouraging people to dial 2-1-1 for non-emergency services can help reducing congestion on 911 dispatch lines, and helping to ensure they are accessing the right type of assistance.
On February 11, 2022, United Way and 211 are encouraging more people to learn about this valuable service.
About 211
211 is Canada’s primary source of information for government and community-based health and social services. The free and confidential service can be accessed 24 hours a day, in more than 150 languages, by phone, chat, text, and web. 211 helps connect people to the right information and services, making their pathway to care and resources a guided and trusted one. Visit 211.ca for more information.
Canadians should always call 9-1-1 for a life-threatening emergency, when a property is in danger or a crime is in progress that requires the police, fire or paramedics.
