The United Way of McLeod County wants to remind people of the organization’s free, confidential and multilingual 2-1-1 community help line. Through a partnership with the Greater Twin Cities United Way, area residents can find numerous health and human services available in McLeod County 24 hours a day, seven days a week, just by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-543-7709 (outstate).

Every hour of every day, hundreds of people need essential human services – they are looking for training, employment, food pantries, help for an aging parent, addiction prevention programs for their teenage children, affordable housing options, support groups and ways of becoming part of their community. 2-1-1 allows people to give help and to get help.

2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. In 2008, 2-1-1 services in the United States answered more than 14 million calls. The implementation of 2-1-1 is spearheaded by United Ways and information and referral agencies in states and local communities. United Way of America (UWA) and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) serve as partners for this community help line. 2-1-1 can offer access to the following types of services:

Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.

Physical and Mental Health Resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention, rehabilitation, maternal health.

Employment Support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs.

Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: home health care, adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation and homemaker services.

Support for Children, Youth and Families: Quality childcare, Success by 6, after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, protective services.