211 is Central and Northern New York’s lifeline for help. In fact, 211 is a critical part of the United Way’s fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

Here’s seven reasons why you should use this vital service—and let others know about it, too.

  1. 211 provides connections to many kinds of resources and services, including:
    • Crisis and emergency counseling for mental health concerns, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking
    • Disaster assistance
    • Food
    • Financial assistance, literacy, and coaching
    • Health care and insurance assistance
    • Stable housing and utilities payment assistance
    • Unemployment services
    • Veteran services
    • Childcare and family services
    • And much more
  2. Our 211 phone counselors are amazing listeners! 211 does more than “patch people through” to agencies. Instead, every call is answered by a real person, a caring expert who offers comfort, hope, and solutions – from the first hello to the final connection to help.
  3. 211 is simple and convenient to use. The service is free, confidential, and accessible 24/7/365. It’s also available in more than 180 languages.
  4. There’s more than one way to use 211. You can dial 2-1-1 on your phone and speak to a trained 211 phone counselor. Or you can browse local resources on 211CNY.com. The service is also available by text and email. Text your zip code to: 898-211 Or, email: [email protected].
  5. 211 tackles problems at the roots. In fact, 211 phone counselors are trained to identify and address the underlying root causes of a client’s challenge – and connect them with a wide range of available resources that meet all the underlying needs, not just the one that prompted the call, text, or email.
  6. 211 helps thousands of people in Central and Northern New York each year, many of them just like you. In 2021, the 211CNY call center answered 39,421 calls to better serve the residents of five counties: Onondaga, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence. 211 is available to help anyone, no matter their situation, income level, gender, age, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
  7. 211 responds to new needs with innovative services. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the need to change the way many services operated – including community resources that provide food and other essential supplies. In the middle of the pandemic, United Way and DoorDash launched the Ride United Last Mile Delivery Program to help people get access to the food and household supplies they needed. Since it launched, Ride United Last Mile Delivery has delivered 7.4 million meals.

Learn more and get help by visiting 211CNY.com. And share this information with as many people as possible, so everyone in Central and Northern New York knows where to turn for help.