2-1-1 Hotline Celebrates Five Years of Listening & Connecting People with Resources

2-1-1 Now Working on Cell Phones

Linda needed help. Having recently lost her job, she had run out of money and was about to be evicted from her Summerville apartment. She and her eight-year-old daughter had nowhere to go. A friend suggested she dial 2-1-1.

A trained volunteer at Trident United Way’s 2-1-1 Hotline helped her find a temporary home for women and children. Later she talked Linda through her fear and stress, giving her room to cry and vent her feelings.

On February 11 (2/11), the Lowcountry celebrates the fifth anniversary of Trident United Way’s 2-1-1 Hotline helping people find the resources they need in the Lowcountry. During its five years, 2-1-1 Hotline has helped nearly a quarter of a million callers connect with their feelings and find the help they needed, or find the volunteer opportunities they sought.

During five years, 2-1-1 Hotline has added numerous improvements, including:

• It worked with cell phone providers to make the 2-1-1 phone number available on cell phones.
• It helped thousands of suicide callers from across the nation find reasons to stay alive.
• It helped hundreds of callers responding to Darkness to Light announcements about child sexual abuse.
• It served as the after-hours call center for Charleston County Social Services and Berkeley Mental Health.

In response to two recent suicides, 2-1-1 Hotline will hold the second of two public meetings on suicide on Monday, Feb. 11, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Main Library on Calhoun Street in Charleston. The meeting is free and open to the public.

“Everyone can play a role in the prevention of suicide,” said Charlotte Anderson, Trident United Way’s vice president of 2-1-1 services, and a leading expert in the Lowcountry on suicide.

As for Linda, she stayed at the Good Neighbor Center for awhile ad accessed other community resources to find a nice apartment and a job. She and her daughter are thriving and appreciative. “Thank God for 2-1-1 and the Good Neighbor Center,” she said.

Who: Trident United Way’s
2-1-1 Hotline

What: Fifth anniversary, helping nearly a quarter of a million people find the resources they need

When: Feb. 11, 2008

Where: Serving the tri-county area

How: Through a comprehensive database of community resources and hundreds of trained volunteers