Originally published: September 2, 2021
‘211’ resource provides help with a variety of situations
HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) – The 211 resource was available to anyone who needed assistance finding a service, program, organization and more. The United Way of South Central Nebraska and the Community Impact Network of Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster counties worked together to provide the helpful tool, making it available for a wide variety of needs.
Brady Rhodes, the collaborative coordinator for the Community Impact Network, said during the pandemic, getting people all the help they can get at their convenience was all the more important.
“During times of disasters and things when people are really in a challenging time, 211 can be a great resource to help find maybe rental assistance payments, maybe you need some mental health counseling, or just somebody to talk to, there’s hotline available there,” Rhodes said.
He added that the “one-stop” service could also be of help to people like school counselors, nurses, police who were questioning where the best place would be to send someone for their needs.
Rhodes said, when calling the service, the hotline experts would find the nearest location to the individual for what fit best for their needs.
“You can call anywhere in Nebraska and find something specific to your location so, if you’re in Hastings or you’re in Omaha, wherever you’re at, you can find it,” Rhodes said. “One of the first questions they’re going to ask you is: ‘Where are you located?’ — And then they’ll start answering your questions based on that geographic location.”
The 211 resource can be accessed through the web, a mobile app, through a text message, or by simply dialing the numbers ‘2-1-1.’ For easy access on-the-go, texting the phone number ‘898-2111’ — along with the zip code of your location — will connect you with an expert to help you with your specific needs.