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As appearing in the Chicago Tribune, Voice of the People:

From:             Janet Froetscher, President and CEO
                        United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
                        On behalf of 2-1-1 Excellence Everywhere in Illinois

When someone is struggling with a personal or family crisis, the ability to access resources is imperative. People need a systematic way to receive help, and Illinois is on the verge of offering its residents a quick, easy system for information and referral: 2-1-1.  

2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that provides immediate health and human services assistance by directing callers to services most appropriate for their needs.  Most importantly, it ensures that people do not go without necessary and available services because they don’t know where to seek help. Now available in in 45 states and Puerto Rico, 2-1-1 facilitates access to services such as food pantries, shelter, child care agencies, medical information lines, health insurance programs, job training, transportation assistance, adult care referral services, home health care, protective services, volunteer opportunities and donation centers.

When Hurricane Katrina left tens of thousands of people without food, shelter or access to essential services, some areas of the Gulf Coast were more prepared than others to respond to the needs of their citizens. The difference was 2-1-1, which quickly connected people in need with important community services.

We ask for the public’s support of 2-1-1 in Illinois. Through the implementation of a 2-1-1 system, communities in our state will be made stronger, safer and more stable. To learn more about 2-1-1, visit 211illinois.org.

Janet Froetscher
President and CEO, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
On behalf of 2-1-1 Excellence Everywhere in Illinois

Illinois Organizations with Leadership Roles in 2-1-1 Excellence Everywhere in Illinois

311 City Services--Chicago
AgeOptions
American Red Cross of Greater Chicago
Catholic Charities of Metro Chicago
DuPage County
East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging
Heartland Alliance
IBM
Illinois Alliance of Information and Referral Systems
Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies
Illinois Terrorism Task Force
Jewish Federation
McHenry County Crisis Program
PATH Crisis Center
United Way of Greater St. Louis
United Way of Illinois
United Way of McHenry County
United Way of McLean County
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
United Way of the Quad Cities
Voices for Illinois Children

National Organizations with Leadership Roles
Alliance of Information and Referral Systems
United Way of America

Public Policy
Federal Calling for 2-1-1 Act
Illinois Statues