Results

United Way 2-1-1 Lights the Way

Jeremy and his Mom

Jeremy didn’t know where to turn for help when his power was turned off. Since his father died several years ago, Jeremy, 16, a student at Bronson High School, has assumed more responsibilities at home but he wasn’t sure how he was going to help his mother with this. Where would they find the money to have the power restored? That’s when he called 2-1-1. The trained Information and Referral Specialist Terry Velazquez on the other end listened to the struggles that Jeremy and his family were experiencing. Though 2-1-1 doesn’t offer money to help pay bills, they do have an extensive list of resources throughout North Central Florida. On Jeremy’s behalf, Terry contacted several agencies in Levy county to try to find help. “I called a few churches on our list and was referred to a church in Jeremy’s neighborhood,” said Terry. “The need for a good support network can never be underestimated.” Within a few days, the church had paid Jeremy’s utility bill and power was restored.

“I don’t know what we would have done without 2-1-1,” said Jeremy. United Way 2-1-1 provides anyone with nonemergency access to health and human services. It is a free and confidential service available 24-hours-a-day, every day. As of February 1, citizens in North Central Florida are able to call 2-1-1 from a cell phone, as well as a land line. This is made possible through a statewide program called Operation FLOW, which routes cell calls to the nearest 2-1-1 call center. More than 60 percent of US residences have access to 2-1-1. Legislation has been introduced to make it a national referral network. In addition, state legislation has been proposed that would appropriate $5 million to expand 2-1-1 into the 17 counties that do not yet have it and to enhance the operating capacity of existing 2-1-1 s.