211
211 started 25 years ago in June 1997 and was established as a place for people to come to find direction to any social services they needed. United Way’s 211 is a full-service contact center connecting people to the assistance they need to address everyday challenges of living and then any possible emergencies.
Lauren had worked most of the school year as a substitute teacher in her school district, but with just about two months remaining in the school year, she was told that she wouldn’t be able to come back to teach. All the schools were closing across the region, state and country and teachers and students were being forced to stay home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. By shutting down in-person operations most everywhere, COVID-19 caused a catastrophic unemployment crisis spurring millions of people to file for unemployment benefits in one week.
Lauren was one filer among that number. But it was unclear when she would receive any unemployment benefits. She was worried about going into debt and not being able to pay her rent on time, which was due at the first of the month. She was desperate.
Lauren started looking online for resources that could help alleviate the financial burden placed on her, and that was when she came across United Way's 211 website. She reached out, got put in touch with a financial assistance agency for an appointment and received $800. “I did not know what I was going to do,” Lauren says. “This was such a blessing. I am so grateful for this assistance. Prayers do get answered.”
You can support your local United Way and help people in your community like Lauren get back on their feet with programs like 211.
Lauren had worked most of the school year as a substitute teacher in her school district, but with just about two months remaining in the school year, she was told that she wouldn’t be able to come back to teach. All the schools were closing across the region, state and country and teachers and students were being forced to stay home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. By shutting down in-person operations most everywhere, COVID-19 caused a catastrophic unemployment crisis spurring millions of people to file for unemployment benefits in one week.
Lauren was one filer among that number. But it was unclear when she would receive any unemployment benefits. She was worried about going into debt and not being able to pay her rent on time, which was due at the first of the month. She was desperate.
Lauren started looking online for resources that could help alleviate the financial burden placed on her, and that was when she came across United Way's 211 website. She reached out, got put in touch with a financial assistance agency for an appointment and received $800. “I did not know what I was going to do,” Lauren says. “This was such a blessing. I am so grateful for this assistance. Prayers do get answered.”
You can support your local United Way and help people in your community like Lauren get back on their feet with programs like 211.
