2-1-1:
Connecting Connecticut with Services

Click on box to go to: United Way of CT 2-1-1

Click on lighthouse to go to: 2-1-1 Navigator

Click on above to go to 211Everybody knows to call 911 in an emergency, but who do you call when you are being evicted from your apartment? Or looking for affordable child care? Who do you turn to when you need to find a particular support group? Or where would you go if you were just looking to volunteer your time or donate items to people in need?

In Connecticut , people call 2-1-1 . This easy, 3-digit number connects a caller to 2-1-1 Infoline, a statewide, help-by-telephone service that provides information, community referrals and crisis intervention. It's a simple way to give or get help 24 hours a day and at no cost. 2-1-1 Infoline is a partnership of Connecticut United Ways and the State of Connecticut . Infoline has been in existence for almost 30 years and the 2-1-1 number was established in February 1999.

Call Specialists answer all calls and, using a comprehensive database of community services, connect the caller to the service or organization that can best suit their need.

Last year, 2-1-1 Infoline answered calls from over 300,000 Connecticut residents. During the holiday season, call specialists responded to 8,094 requests from low income families looking for toys for their children and food baskets for the holidays. Many of the callers are working, but barely able to make ends meet with the high cost of gasoline, heating oil and high rents.

"There is no other human care service that gives us more value for the amount of money which we invest in Infoline 2-1-1", said Gary Johnson, President United Way of Milford. Last year United Way of Milford invested $11,500 in 2-1-1 Infoline service. In Milford , there were a total of 4,146 service calls made from July 2003 to June 2004 which breaks down to $2.77 per call. This is a small investment for the return and impact at the other end; a life changed or perhaps saved because 2-1-1 answered the call for help. "United Way of Milford is proud to be a partner with other United Ways in Connecticut and the state government itself in 2-1-1 Infoline", Johnson added.

2-1-1 Call Specialists are trained to help callers with a wide range of questions. Some calls are simple, such as someone looking for a support group; others are much more complex, like a family needing emergency shelter or talking with a person who is suicidal. Call Specialists are continually trained in crisis intervention and 2-1-1 Infoline is certified by the American Association of Suicidology.

"There are thousands of services available to people in Connecticut but sometimes it's difficult to pinpoint exactly which one is best," says Melanie Loewenstein, Senior Vice President at United Way of Connecticut , which administers the service. "This is where we come in; 2-1-1 can point people in the right direction and help them find the services they need quickly and easily."

United Way of Milford
20 Evergreen Ave or PO Box 221
Milford, CT 06460
Phone: 203-874-6791 - Fax 203-876-7236
Email:uwmilford@aol.com