February 11, 2022 – United Way of Decatur & Mid-Illinois (UWDMI) is celebrating National 211 Day today (2-11).
211 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects callers with free information and referrals for community services in Macon, DeWitt, Moultrie, Piatt, & Shelby counties. 211 is staffed 24/7 by trained volunteers and staff who will listen to an individual’s situation and refer them to the most appropriate government or social service nearest to them. The service is also available in Spanish, and if you don’t feel comfortable talking on the phone, you can get help by texting your zip code to 898211.
2021 was another busy year for 211 as families continued to need assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from United Way shows that the service received over 1500 calls from our five-county region in 2021, down about 100 calls from the previous year. Rent and mortgage assistance was the highest request in 2021, accounting for about 22 percent of calls, while utilities were the reason for 16 percent of calls. In addition, 76 individuals called 211 for COVID-19 Vaccine information.
National 211 Day was established in the United States to spread the news about this vital community resource. In 2020, UWDMI received a mayoral proclamation naming Feb. 11, 2020 as 211 Day in the City of Decatur. We continue to promote 211 on social media and through word-of-mouth, and they encourage the public to share what they know about 211 with friends, family, and neighbors in need.
To learn more about 211, visit HERE.
