Local officials are trying to raise awareness about the services offered through 2-1-1.
2-1-1 is an informational service that can be accessed by anyone through phone calls, texts, email, and chat.
Sarah Kile is the executive director of 2-1-1 of Northeast Michigan.
“Last year, in the state of Michigan, we took 670 thousand contacts. It’s pretty substantial in the state of Michigan,” she said. “In our region, we handle about 40 thousand contacts.”
Kile said 2-1-1 can offer help with things like food assistance, utilities, housing and homelessness, transportation, and more.
“2-1-1’s impact is pretty large,” she said. “The important part is, its for anyone in the community who have the need or might just need information for someone who is near them, who is close as a friend.”
Kile also said 2-1-1 can help with things like veteran and military affairs, reentry after serving time in jail, disaster preparedness and response, transportation, and more.
“It’s really important to understand that it’s not always easy to ask for help,” she said. “It’s hard to go to people you know that, ‘I’m having a hard time paying my bills,’ or ‘I really can’t find affordable housing’. I need to know the community resources.”
Kile said 2-1-1 can provide information about things like food assistance, transportation, taxes, and more. Questions can be handled confidentially.
The service is available by simply dialing 2-1-1 from your phone.