Savannah, GA (June 22, 2009) – United Way of the Coastal Empire’s 2-1-1 service, a call center that links Coastal Empire’s residents with health and human service agencies, has expanded its coverage to Camden County. 

Already present in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, Glynn and McIntosh counties, United Way’s 2-1-1 service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in over 50 languages.  Trained operators answer the phone and direct callers to social services that help with food, housing, child care, employment, utility assistance and other financial needs.  The 2-1-1 database is also available online at www.uwce.org.

2-1-1 calls for Camden County are now automatically directed to the United Way’s 2-1-1 call center for information and referrals to services available in Camden County.  Currently, there are approximately 80 agencies registered in the 2-1-1 database to service Camden County. 

“We have a whole range of services in our community.  Unfortunately, the human services system is extremely complicated, and people can make as many as 10 calls to get help,” said Trudy Jones, United Way’s 2-1-1 director.  “2-1-1 alleviates that right away.”

Unlike 9-1-1, the 2-1-1 hotline is strictly for non-emergencies.  However, the 2-1-1 service has also been useful during times of public crisis, such as major fires, floods and hurricanes.  It offers an alternative to the 9-1-1 telephone systems, which can become overwhelmed with non-emergency requests for things like listings for shelters, soup kitchens and clothing.