United Way’s 2-1-1 celebrates first year serving southeastern Michigan
PRESS RELEASE
Media Contacts
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321
Call center received nearly 98,000 calls since December 2005
DETROIT – United Way for Southeastern Michigan celebrated a successful first year of its 2-1-1 call center today, which received 97,959 calls since its launch last December. This represents a 58 percent increase in calls from United Way’s previous Tel-Help Information and Referral Service, which began in 1944 and handled 44,000 calls in 2005.
United Way’s 2-1-1 is an easy access, multi-lingual, comprehensive information and referral service serving Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties that is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. From child care to adult day care, tax assistance or holiday help, the service connects people to more than 6,600 health and human services, as well as volunteer opportunities. 2-1-1 specialists are trained to handle each call with dignity, making the process of asking for help less painful and the connection to services much easier and effective.
November saw the highest call volume since 2-1-1 launched, receiving 13,757 calls. Top requests included: utility assistance, food pantries, housing and rent assistance, with job assistance being the fastest growing category. More than 90 percent of people 2-1-1 followed up with found the service useful and would recommend 2-1-1 to a friend.
“The sheer volume of people calling 2-1-1 in its first year proves how necessary the service is for this region,” said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “2-1-1 has made great strides in the past year to streamline access to services and provide a single point of entry into the health and human service system. In this unprecedented time when the request for services is at an all time high, 2-1-1 is a valuable resource for those who need help or those who wish to give help.”
In addition to providing information and referral services, 2-1-1 has been involved in partnerships with the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority to prescreen residents for Medicaid and Prescription Hope and help residents gain access to prescription assistance. Through these partnerships, 2-1-1 screens callers to see if they are eligible for free or low-cost healthcare and prescription programs. United Way’s 2-1-1 also partners with WJBK-TV FOX 2 and Gardner-White Furniture for Holiday Connection, which promotes United Way’s Wish List, a special book that includes agencies in southeastern Michigan and their needs. The books are available at all Gardner-White Furniture Stores and online at www.uwsem.org/wishlist.
Currently, there are 209 active 2-1-1 systems in 41 states, with the first 2-1-1 call center established in 1997. Currently nearly 70 percent of Michigan residents have access to 2-1-1 with more than 40 percent covered by United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s call center, making it one of the largest 2-1-1 call centers in the nation.
“With nearly 100,000 calls received in 2-1-1 during the first year this is really a celebration about the 100,000 lives touched through 2-1-1,” said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO, United Way of America. “But we have the opportunity to touch so many more lives.”
Gallagher continued: “Our experience tells us at some point 2-1-1 has to be statewide. There are 700 different information and hot lines in state government making the system hard to navigate. 2-1-1 is a way to streamline that and make it easier for people everywhere to access information.”
Carol Ann Rowland, of West Bloomfield, recently received assistance from 2-1-1. She was living with ovarian cancer, but didn’t have medical insurance to cover any treatment she would need.
“I tried calling so many different people and organizations, but wasn’t finding anyone who could help,” she said. “2-1-1 connected me with a disability lawyer who helped tremendously. I was able to have surgery to remove the cancer. The service was so helpful for me.”
United Way’s 2-1-1 service is a collaborative partnership with The Information Center, The Detroit Public Library, Common Ground Sanctuary, Macomb County Crisis Center, Neighborhood Service Organization, and United Way 2-1-1 Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw Counties. This partnership ensures that the 2-1-1 service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Several companies and foundations have helped make 2-1-1 a reality by sponsoring a portion of the start-up costs, including: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, Comerica Charitable Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, ConnectMichigan Alliance, DaimlerChrysler Corporation Foundation, DTE Energy Foundation, Hudson-Webber Foundation, The Jewish Fund, The Kresge Foundation, Lear Corporation, McGregor Fund, Metro Health Foundation, Michigan First Credit Union, Ralph & Winifred Polk Foundation, the State of Michigan, and the Whitney Fund.
To give help or get help, call 2-1-1 or 1-800-552-1183.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org.
Media Contacts
Patricia A. Ellis, 313-226-9484 or pager, 313-840-1948
Megan Bracket, 313-226-9409 or pager, 313-840-4321
Call center received nearly 98,000 calls since December 2005
DETROIT – United Way for Southeastern Michigan celebrated a successful first year of its 2-1-1 call center today, which received 97,959 calls since its launch last December. This represents a 58 percent increase in calls from United Way’s previous Tel-Help Information and Referral Service, which began in 1944 and handled 44,000 calls in 2005.
United Way’s 2-1-1 is an easy access, multi-lingual, comprehensive information and referral service serving Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties that is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. From child care to adult day care, tax assistance or holiday help, the service connects people to more than 6,600 health and human services, as well as volunteer opportunities. 2-1-1 specialists are trained to handle each call with dignity, making the process of asking for help less painful and the connection to services much easier and effective.
November saw the highest call volume since 2-1-1 launched, receiving 13,757 calls. Top requests included: utility assistance, food pantries, housing and rent assistance, with job assistance being the fastest growing category. More than 90 percent of people 2-1-1 followed up with found the service useful and would recommend 2-1-1 to a friend.
“The sheer volume of people calling 2-1-1 in its first year proves how necessary the service is for this region,” said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “2-1-1 has made great strides in the past year to streamline access to services and provide a single point of entry into the health and human service system. In this unprecedented time when the request for services is at an all time high, 2-1-1 is a valuable resource for those who need help or those who wish to give help.”
In addition to providing information and referral services, 2-1-1 has been involved in partnerships with the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority to prescreen residents for Medicaid and Prescription Hope and help residents gain access to prescription assistance. Through these partnerships, 2-1-1 screens callers to see if they are eligible for free or low-cost healthcare and prescription programs. United Way’s 2-1-1 also partners with WJBK-TV FOX 2 and Gardner-White Furniture for Holiday Connection, which promotes United Way’s Wish List, a special book that includes agencies in southeastern Michigan and their needs. The books are available at all Gardner-White Furniture Stores and online at www.uwsem.org/wishlist.
Currently, there are 209 active 2-1-1 systems in 41 states, with the first 2-1-1 call center established in 1997. Currently nearly 70 percent of Michigan residents have access to 2-1-1 with more than 40 percent covered by United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s call center, making it one of the largest 2-1-1 call centers in the nation.
“With nearly 100,000 calls received in 2-1-1 during the first year this is really a celebration about the 100,000 lives touched through 2-1-1,” said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO, United Way of America. “But we have the opportunity to touch so many more lives.”
Gallagher continued: “Our experience tells us at some point 2-1-1 has to be statewide. There are 700 different information and hot lines in state government making the system hard to navigate. 2-1-1 is a way to streamline that and make it easier for people everywhere to access information.”
Carol Ann Rowland, of West Bloomfield, recently received assistance from 2-1-1. She was living with ovarian cancer, but didn’t have medical insurance to cover any treatment she would need.
“I tried calling so many different people and organizations, but wasn’t finding anyone who could help,” she said. “2-1-1 connected me with a disability lawyer who helped tremendously. I was able to have surgery to remove the cancer. The service was so helpful for me.”
United Way’s 2-1-1 service is a collaborative partnership with The Information Center, The Detroit Public Library, Common Ground Sanctuary, Macomb County Crisis Center, Neighborhood Service Organization, and United Way 2-1-1 Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw Counties. This partnership ensures that the 2-1-1 service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Several companies and foundations have helped make 2-1-1 a reality by sponsoring a portion of the start-up costs, including: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, Comerica Charitable Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, ConnectMichigan Alliance, DaimlerChrysler Corporation Foundation, DTE Energy Foundation, Hudson-Webber Foundation, The Jewish Fund, The Kresge Foundation, Lear Corporation, McGregor Fund, Metro Health Foundation, Michigan First Credit Union, Ralph & Winifred Polk Foundation, the State of Michigan, and the Whitney Fund.
To give help or get help, call 2-1-1 or 1-800-552-1183.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org.
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