6 Reasons Western New Yorkers Should Use 211WNY

6 Reasons Western New Yorkers Should Use 211WNY Image

211 WNY is WNY’s lifeline for help. 

In a crisis, in a disaster, in a pandemic, 211 WNY is here to help every person in our community find food, pay bills, and connect to other essential services. Our 211 is part of a national network, United to help as many people as possible. In fact, 211 WNY is a critical part of United Way of Buffalo & Erie County’s fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

 

Here’s why you should use this vital service—and let others know about it, too.

1. 211 provides connections to many kinds of resources and services, including:

  • Crisis and emergency counseling for mental health concerns, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking
  • Disaster assistance
  • Food
  • Financial assistance, literacy, and coaching
  • Health care and insurance assistance
  • Stable housing and utility payment assistance 
  • Unemployment services
  • Veteran services 
  • Child care and family services

2. Our 211 WNY specialists are amazing listeners! 211 does more than “patch people through” to agencies. Instead, every call is answered by a real person, a caring expert who offers comfort, hope, and solutions - from the first hello to the final connection to help. 

    

3. 211 WNY is simple and convenient to use. The service is free, confidential, and accessible 24/7/365. It’s also available in more than 180 languages.

 

4. There’s more than one way to use 211 WNY. You can dial 2-1-1 on your phone and speak to a trained 211 specialist. Or you can browse local resources on 211wny.org. The service is also available by text. Simply text your zip code to 898-211 to get started.

 

5. 211 WNY tackles problems at the roots. In fact, 211 WNY specialists are trained to identify and address the underlying root causes of a client’s problem – and connect them with a wide range of available resources that meet all the underlying needs, not just the one that prompted the call, text, or email.

 

6. 211 WNY helps over 60,000 people in WNY each year, many of them just like you. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, calls to our local 211 have increased nearly 50% from the previous year. 211 WNY is available to help anyone, no matter their situation, income level, or their gender, age, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

 

Learn more and get help by visiting 211wny.org. And share this information with as many people as possible, so everyone in WNY knows where to turn for help.