Published: November 20, 2009 06:59 pm      

2-1-1 helps locals in crisis

Metro United Way program helps people in Floyd, Clark and Harrison counties

After her house caught fire, LaVelle McCarley, of Louisville, and her family was displaced for about three months. Not sure where to turn to, McCarley called 2-1-1, and found more than just referrals to area services.

“They were super supportive and helpful,” McCarley said. “They were vey well trained. You don’t have to do the thinking; they do the thinking for you. You can get all your information in one place. If I ever have a life changing event like that again, I know exactly who to call.”

2-1-1 is a nationwide service referral system. The system is provided to Southern Indiana and Metro Louisville residents by the Metro United Way.

2-1-1 and the Metro United Way strive to provide 2-1-1 users with an easy and stress free way to seek help just like McCarley experienced. The program connects people with services, community needs and volunteer opportunities. Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties are three of the 12 counties 2-1-1 serves.

“When a person dials 2-1-1 they only have to push one number after that,” Glen Powell, 2-1-1 project director, said. “They only have to push one extra button. We don’t want you to have to go through an answering system. People get frustrated with that. After only one button you get a live person, who is extremely professional, courteous and a good listener.”

2-1-1 has been up and running for four years. McCarley is just one of many within the past four years that have made use of 2-1-1. From 26,000 callers the first year to 48,000 the third year, the number of callers to the service number has increased on a consistent basis.

“It’s kind of two fold,” Powell said. “We’re happy and elated that the service is being used and we are making it easier for people in need and helping them move forward. But it is disheartening to see an increase in the numbers, and to see these needs are out there. We know we are going to have to take this data and come up with more resources.”

Information Link of Southern Indiana provides 2-1-1 with a database of resources and organizations specific to the Southern Indiana Community. Linda Bourne, director of Information Link of Southern Indiana, spends time in the community learning about organizations and finding out which ones would be helpful for Southern Indiana residents in need. She said she hopes 2-1-1 provides Southern Indiana users with a one stop starting point for those in need.

“It’s very difficult for those who maybe in a crisis to identify and locate resources and organizations,” Bourne said. “And instead of contacting several places they can call 2-1-1 and find out exactly what their need is and what is out there to help them.”