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United Way 2-1-1
February 11, 2007 marked the three-year anniversary of a vital service to eastern Iowa residents, United Way 2-1-1. 2-1-1 is a 24-hour hotline number that gives individuals information about human services and resources in the community. Since launching 2-1-1 on February 11, 2004, the call center has received nearly 135,000 calls. During 2006, the average number of calls per month was 3,210 (January 1, 2006 - September 30, 2006) with the majority of the calls occurring during the winter months when utility and holiday assistance was needed.
The top needs people calling 2-1-1 had from July 1, 2006 - September 30, 2006 include: utility assistance (searching for help with the expenses of utility bills), information and referral (getting contact information for services), childcare (seeking licensed programs that provide childcare), rent assistance/housing - to rent/own (finding affordable rental housing, paying rent), and food (locating food pantries or other food assistance).
Last year, United Way 2-1-1 partnered with Linn County and Benton County Emergency Management. The partnership expanded United Way 2-1-1 by being a resource to the community in the event of a disaster. Individuals can call 2-1-1 to receive accurate and timely information during a disaster, such as a flood, tornado or an emergency at the Duane Arnold Energy Center.
United Way of East Central Iowa has collaborated with five other United Ways (Cedar Valley United Way, United Way of Johnson County, United Way of Mahaska County, United Way of Wapello County and Waverly-Shell Rock United Way) to bring 2-1-1 services to 834,000 residents living in 24 eastern and southeastern Iowa counties.
2-1-1 is a national number and is currently active in 41 states, plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and Canada. 2-1-1 serves approximately 190 million Americans which is over 65% of the U.S. population.
Visit United Way 2-1-1 online at www.211Iowa.org
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