Today, Tuesday, February 11, the 18 United Ways in Massachusetts will join United Ways across America to celebrate National 2-1-1 Day to recognize and spread awareness about this free resource number and website.
Operated by the United Way of Tri-County in Massachusetts, the Mass2-1-1 program was first launched in 1997 as a way to connect people with essential resources in their communities. The free, confidential, easy to remember phone number (2-1-1) and website (mass211.org) connects Massachusetts residents to essential community information and services such as mental health programs, childcare, healthcare, rent and mortgage assistance, food and shelter, job training, transportation, senior care, veteran services and much more.
Last year Mass2-1-1 received 151,389 calls and had 92,279 web queries from residents of the Commonwealth seeking resources. Mass2-1-1’s mental health, emotional support and suicide prevention line Call2Talk received 68,425 calls to their hotline, a significant increase from 51,812 calls in 2018.
“Each and every day, someone in our state needs essential services. Whether they need help for a weather disaster or in everyday situations such as finding free tax preparation sites, Mass2-1-1 helps them find important health and human services in their local community,” said Eileen Davis, Vice President of Mass2-1-1. To get more information and help with housing, utilities, crisis, emergency, health and food assistance, or other service call 2-1-1 from any landline or mobile phone or visit mass211.org. Mass2-1-1 is free, available 24/7 and offers translation in over 150 languages.
About Mass2-1-1
Mass2-1-1 is a program of the United Ways in Massachusetts and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. According to Mass2-1-1 Executive Director Paul Mina, “the collaboration between United Ways and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ensures that Mass2-1-1 will have sustainable funding for the foreseeable future. The mission of Mass2-1-1 is to ensure that Massachusetts residents get accurate and helpful information the first time they call.”
Mass2-1-1 is the official hotline in Massachusetts for Children Requiring Assistance and the Runaway Assistance Program through a contract with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. It is also the official hotline for Childcare Resources in the Commonwealth under contract with the Department of Early Education and Care and is the official hotline for Emergencies and Disaster Response under contract with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.