United Way 2-1-1 is a multi-lingual, comprehensive information and referral service available 24/7/365. Its database contains more than 20,000 programs and services such as after school programs, senior care services, medical and prescription assistance, credit counseling and mortgage foreclosure assistance, and housing and utility resources. Individuals can also call 2-1-1 to be connected to volunteer opportunities in their area.

2-1-1 partners include: Common Ground Sanctuary, Macomb County Crisis Center, Neighborhood Service Organization, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, United Way of Monroe County, United Way of Washtenaw County, and Huron Valley Ambulance.

Special Projects

2-1-1 On the Go!
2-1-1 On the Go! (OTG) is an extension of the 2-1-1 call center that provides information and referral, and advocacy to vulnerable populations in an effort to alleviate and prevent homelessness.

2-1-1 OTG outreach workers maintain a presence at various shelters and soup kitchens in the Detroit area, assisting guests with community resources to help them achieve stability. They also maintain relationships with various human service agencies and coordinate services with those agencies for the individuals they encounter.

To learn more about 2-1-1 OTG, call 313-226-9478 or follow @UnitedWayJohn on Twitter to get real-time updates from the field.

DTE Energy Partnership (provided separately)      
2-1-1 is working in partnership with DTE Energy to assist customers experiencing difficulty in maintaining utility service. Two full-time call associates work exclusively with DTE customers who have not been successful in payment plan options. Associates help these customers identify resources that will help them avoid shutoff.

Additionally, 2-1-1 has a dedicated line for DTE field agents to call when they are faced with having to disconnect utility services a home of due to nonpayment or theft.  By calling into 2-1-1, DTE field staff is immediately linked with a 2-1-1 call associate who will deploy 2-1-1 On The Go! to the customer’s residence. Once deployed, 2-1-1 staff works with the customer to ensure that he or she is able to reside in a home that has safe and legal utility service.

Emergency Response/Disaster Preparedness
In collaboration with other call centers, public health departments and offices of emergency management, 2-1-1 can assist communities in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.

GIS Mapping
Geographic Information System (GIS) Mapping is a system for capturing, storing and analyzing data. 2-1-1 uses this tool to map community assets and gaps based on the needs expressed in each call. This capability helps the community evaluate usage patterns and improve the human service delivery system to better serve metro Detroiters.

Mortgage Deliquency and Foreclosure Assistance
Homeowners either at risk or facing foreclosure in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties can dial 2-1-1 for immediate and customized information and assistance. 2-1-1 directs these people to an online portal that matches them with the most appropriate housing counselor for their unique circumstance. This program is done in collaboration with the Southeast Michigan Regional Foreclosure Intervention and Neighborhood Stabilization Collaborative.

World Medical Relief Prescription Assistance Program
United Way 2-1-1 works with World Medical Relief to assist those without prescription coverage in obtaining their routine medications. To qualify, one must be income-eligible, have no prescription drug coverage and must have prescriptions for FDA-approved medications used to manage long-term or chronic health conditions. 

Listing your organization in the 2-1-1 Database
If you represent a nonprofit organization or other service provider and would like to be included in 2-1-1’s database, please download an application. United Way staff will follow up with eligible organizations. Being listed in our database is free of charge and will help people in our area gain access to additional resources. Review our policy on database developement.

Connecting your Company or Organization to 2-1-1
2-1-1 can provide your employees with an invaluable link to resources in metro Detroit to help them and their families. By finding solutions for issues that arise in their personal lives, your employees will be more productive and happy in their workplace.

Organizations with standard landline phones should have no problem dialing 2-1-1, but sometimes, simple modifications must be made to your phone system if it is an in-house phone network or PBX system. If you experience problems dialing 2-1-1, please view this guide or contact Carol Hornung at Carol.Hornung@LiveUnitedSEM.org.