WHAT WE DO

What is 211?

211 is a three-digit telephone number that connects callers to a full range of non-emergency human services in Calgary. The service is free, confidential and serves more than 175 languages, providing information and referrals to local community and social service programs.

Trained information and referral specialists answer calls 24-hours a day, seven days a week. 211 is also available in the Town of Cochrane.

Why call 211?

It can be confusing and frustrating to access the wide range of resources that exist in Calgary. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start looking, or even what’s available. Talking to a trained specialist makes it easy to find information, discover options and deal with the challenges life brings.

Who benefits from 211?

211 benefits a wide variety of Calgarians – including families, individuals, social service professionals and community agencies. Here are just a few examples of people who might call 211:

• A son seeking transportation for his aging parents

• A senior searching for home-care support

• A laid-off employee looking for assistance with a job search

• A teenager attempting to deal with school or social issues

• A family exploring options for childcare services

Why is United Way of Calgary and Area supporting 211?

United Ways across North America have played a major role in bringing 211 to their communities. In Calgary, 211 complements other United Way investments and initiatives, not only by connecting people to the services they need, but also by tracking unmet needs to help address gaps. In United Way’s 2009 Resiliency Report, we found that many Calgarians who were struggling in the downturn didn’t know where to turn and found it confusing to navigate the human services system. 211 is in place to help people get the help they need, just by dialing a simple three-digit number.

211 Calgary has received over 300,000 calls since it was launched in January 2005. So far in 2010, the line has been receiving an average of 4,300 calls per month.

Who is involved in 211?

United Way partnered with Distress Centre Calgary, The City of Calgary and Inform Alberta to develop 211 and launch it in January 2005.

Visit www.211calgary.ca for more information.

Download the 211 fact sheet.