(Canton, OH) May 7, 2020 – 2-1-1 is free, accessible 24/7/365 and completely confidential. The service refers individuals and families to local community social service agencies who specialize in the needs for the following services, such as: rent, food, utilities, taxes, transportation, low cost medical, prescriptions, financial tips, predatory lending, job search and skills, senior programming and more.
Residents who need assistance finding food, paying housing bills, or other essential services, can call 2-1-1 anytime, 24/7/365 for referrals. They can also search 211stark.org for resources or text their zip code to 898-211 for referrals to services.
“Every day, someone in our community needs help with essential services,” says Connie Allton, Director of Community Resources and Support. “2-1-1 refers callers to important health and human services in our local community that can help improve and save lives. Operators refer them to agencies and community organizations that can help provide support and assistance in times of personal crisis. In the past month, the top requests in Greater Stark County have been finding food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and Federal Tax collection agencies, as well as assistance paying rent, electric and gas invoices.”
Thousands of people in Stark and Carroll Counties use 2-1-1 every year. In 2019 alone, over 21,000 people were helped. Live, highly trained professionals at the 2-1-1 Help Center review options for clients, develop a plan with them and act as advocates when community members are faced with barriers.
2-1-1 maintains a referral, resource database of services available in the community at 211stark.org. Individuals and agencies can access the database to receive information about available services like employment and income support, mental health and counseling, municipal services, substance abuse assistance and more. It is a great resource referral service for older adults and individuals with disabilities seeking services that will allow them to continue living independently; expectant mothers and new parents; families experiencing an illness or chronic disease; parents of children who are dealing with challenging situations; and community members who want to volunteer or donate items they no longer need.
An emergency fund has also been set up for people in the community needing assistance with their rent or mortgage payments due to job loss because of COVID-19. Because of the generous donations from local foundations, workplaces and individuals to United Way of Greater Stark County’s COVID-19 Impact Fund, to date, more than 98 households have been helped with their rent or mortgage.
Learn more about the 2-1-1 referral services available at uwstark.org/2-1-1
About United Way of Greater Stark County
United Way of Greater Stark County fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We win by living United. By forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. By mobilizing the best resources. And by inspiring individuals to join the fight against their community’s most daunting social crisis. Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities in Greater Stark County. In order to live better, we must live United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit www.uwstark.org. Offices are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.