Many times you see eBay members supporting other members in their time of need when they come and post concerns and problems on the boards, in blogs or in groups. These are real life problems and they are happening in real time. These are not eBay transaction problems; they are not problems with someone not leaving feedback or even a problem with a listing. But still because eBay is a community of members that care we all feel the need to help. Maybe you have sent a cyber hug or posted your thoughts but still felt helpless not knowing what you can do to help out.

If you have an emergency call 9-1-1 ........If you have a question, need answers or assistance call 2-1-1

If so then maybe you can help them or maybe even help yourself by learning about a system in place in many areas called 2-1-1. No, not 9-1-1 which is used only for emergencies ~ but 2-1-1 which is used for public assistance help. This is the perfect recommendation to give out to those that need a one stop clearing point that can give them quick and vital information about what community services are available to them for their needs.

2-1-1 is a simple and easy to remember number that will compliment the 9-1-1 and other x-1-1 numbers now in effect in many areas. 2-1-1 is the place to get referrals to human services for every day needs and in times of crisis. What 2-1-1 does is connects the caller to an operator that has a network of services available to help assist the caller from anything to where to get medical information to where to find emergency shelters in communities. They can even assist in finding a nursing home in the area or a supporting group to help with the caller’s concerns and problems. Unlike a 4-1-1 where you would just get the phone number to places provided you knew the name, the 2-1-1 operator can give you a choice of names and can go into more detail for you. Some examples of what the 2-1-1 systems can provide callers are:

• Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing, and shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.
• Physical and Mental Health Resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention, rehabilitation, health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, children’s health insurance programs.
• Employment Support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs.
• Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: home health care, adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation, and homemaker services.
• Support for Children, Youth and Families: Quality childcare, Success by 6, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.
• Volunteer opportunities and donations.

One Phone Call is all it takes to get Connected to Qualified Assistance!

The benefits of the 2-1-1 systems are simple – just one call will connect the caller to a place that they can gain access to resources available in their area and community. 2-1-1 is available 24/7 twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It is available both by phone and online. The system is quick, efficient, and easy to use and understand. Callers do not have to look up phone numbers or know the correct name of a resource they are in need of. No more wrong numbers or telephone tag trying to get assistance. The 2-1-1 calls are also confidential calls and in many cases the caller does not have to give their name. One of the top benefits is that the use of the 2-1-1 systems gives callers a simple number to use and that helps to maintain the integrity of the 9-1-1 systems; saving that vital community resource for life and death emergencies.

2-1-1 has not yet been activated in all areas, but it is growing and you can go check and see if your state and area is active or in the planning stages. 2-1-1 can also be contacted online by going to the groups main web site. I can't give you the link here but do an online search for 211 organization's web site,

Right now 2-1-1 reaches approximately 165 million people almost half of the population of the USA. So far 38 states and the District of Columbia have activated the system. The goal is to make 2-1-1 accessible nationwide.

States that have 2-1-1 Activated and in Use

Arizona - California – Colorado – Connecticut – Florida - Hawaii – Idaho - Indiana – Iowa - Kansas - Kentucky - Louisiana - Maine – Maryland - Michigan – Minnesota - Montana - Nebraska - Nevada - New Jersey - New York - North Carolina - North Dakota - Ohio - Oklahoma - South Carolina - South Dakota - Tennessee – Texas - Vermont - Virginia - Washington - West Virginia - Washington, DC – Wisconsin

States that Do Not have 2-1-1 Activated

Alabama – Delaware – Georgia – Illinois – Massachusetts – Missouri – Mississippi - New Hampshire - New Mexico – Oregon – Pennsylvania - Rhode Island - Utah 

Reference facts about 2-1-1

The United Way of Atlanta started the first 2-1-1 activation in 1997.

February 11th has been declared by the UWA to be National 2-1-1 Day.

UWA has declared February 11th as National 2-1-1 Day.

The United Way has made it their mission to better people’s lives and their goal is to contribute vital information that benefits individuals and communities through the 2-1-1 systems.

The funding for 2-1-1 centers come from various sources which includes the United Ways, community foundations, Federal and local government funds.