Oceana 211 Results for 2021

The Pandemic Heroes You’ve Never Heard Of Before

Thank and support 211 call specialists who helped millions of people connect with essential services during the pandemic.

OCEANA, MI – When a crisis hits, having somewhere to turn is invaluable. For millions of people, that place is 211. Last year 211 call specialists fielded more than 20 million calls nationwide, connecting struggling people with essential resources to solve their health care, housing, and food problems. In fact, for Oceana County, they served 1,125 people. Across the country the average number of calls per day rose as high as 54,000 during the pandemic. And 32 states, including Michigan, promoted 211 as the number to call for COVID-19 help and questions.

Day and night, the call specialists at 211 talk to people who are scared, frustrated, and confused. Throughout the pandemic, they have served as essential workers, answering calls around the clock and helping more people than ever before. Last year the economic fall-out of the pandemic continued to hit people in our community—particularly people of color and those without a college-degree—211 was there. Handing out hope from the first hello.

Many people in crisis don’t know where to turn for help. 211 is here to help every person in every community find food, pay for housing and bills, and connect to other essential services. That includes connecting 229 people in Oceana County to housing resources including shelters, low-income housing, home repair programs, rent/mortgage assistance, landlord/tenant assistance, agencies, and other housing programs in 2021. Join United Way of the Lakeshore and our local 211 office continue to serve thousands of individuals each year. Read about the 7 reasons Oceana should use 211 and join us this February 11 as we approach national 211 day. 

7 Reasons Oceana Should Use 211 

211 is here to help every person in our community find food, pay bills, and connect to other essential services. Our 211 is part of a national network, United to help as many people as possible. In fact, 211 is a critical part of United Way of the Lakeshore’s fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

Here’s why you should use this vital service—and let others know about it, too.

1.    211 provides connections to many kinds of resources and services, including:

Crisis and emergency counseling for mental health concerns, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking
Disaster assistance
Food
Financial assistance, literacy, and coaching
Health care and insurance assistance
Stable housing and utilities payment assistance 
Unemployment services
Veteran services 
Child care and family services

2.    Our 211 call specialists are amazing listeners!

211 does more than “patch people through” to agencies. Instead, every call is answered by a real person, a caring expert who offers comfort, hope, and solutions - from the first hello to the final connection to help. 

Just see what one 211 call specialist had to say: 

“211 is one of the few places where people can call and there is a real person on the other end  – to provide information, patience, empathy, and empowering action steps.” -Bonnie

3.    211 is simple and convenient to use.

The service is free, confidential, and accessible 24/7/365. It’s also available in more than 180 languages.

4.    There’s more than one way to use 211.

You can dial 2-1-1 on your phone and speak to a trained 211 specialist. Or you can browse local resources on 211.org. The service is also available by text, web chat, and email. 

5.    211 tackles problems at the roots.

In fact, 211 specialists are trained to identify and address the underlying root causes of a client’s problem – and connect them with a wide range of available resources that meet all the underlying needs, not just the one that prompted the call, text, or email.

6.    211 helps over 1,000 people in Oceana each year, many of them just like you.

In 2021, calls to our local 211 helped an average of 3 people every day. 211 is available to help anyone, no matter their situation, income level, gender, age, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

7.    211 responds to new needs with innovative services.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the need to change the way many services operated – including community resources that provide food and other essential supplies. 


A Look Into 2021 For 211 In Oceana County: 

229 Calls for Housing & Shelter 
(Shelters, Low – Income Housing, Home Repairs, Rent/Mortgage Assistance, Landlord/Tenant Assistance, Agencies, Other)    

73 Calls for Food
(Pantries, Soup Kitchens, Meals to Go, Purchasing Food, Feeding Children, Home-Delivered Meals, Holiday Meals, Agencies, Other)

207 Calls for Utilities
(Electricity, Gas, Water, Heating Fuel, Trash Collection, Utility Deposits, Disconnection Protection, Phone/Internet, Agencies, Other)    207

187 Calls for Healthcare & COVID-19
(Health Insurance, Medical Expense Assistance, Medical Providers, Prescriptions, Nursing Homes & Adult Care, Death Related, Public Health & Safety, COVID-19 Testing, COVID-19 Vaccinations, Health Services, Agencies, Other)

18 Calls for Mental Health & Addictions
(Substance Abuse, Marriage & Family, Crisis Intervention & Suicide, Mental Health Services, Mental Health Facilities, Agencies, Other)

177 Calls for Employment & Income Stability
(Job Search, Job Development, Unemployment Benefits, Tax Preparation, Financial Assistance, Money Management, Agencies, Other)

26 Calls for Clothing & Household
(Clothing, Personal Hygiene, Appliances, Home Furnishings, Thrift Shops, Seasonal/Holiday, Agencies, Other)

2 Calls for Childcare & Parenting
(Childcare, Parenting, Family Support Services, Agencies, Other)

54 Calls for Government & Legal Services
(Legal Assistance, Child & Family Law, Immigration Assistance, Government, Agencies, Other)

56 Calls for Transportation
(Medical Transportation, Public Transportation, Automobile Assistance, Long-distance Travel, Ride Share Services, Bike Programs, Agencies, Other)    56

0 Calls for Education
(Early Childhood Education, Adult Education, Literacy, ESL/Citizenship, Tutoring, School Supplies, Scholarships/Aid, Agencies, Other)     0

7 Calls for Disaster
(Food/Water, Housing/Shelter, Transportation/Fuel, Health/Safety, Flint Water Crisis, Financial Assistance, Disaster Relief Services, Agencies, Other)    7

89 Other Calls
(Agency Contacts, Community Development, Enrichment, Volunteering, Donations, Support & Advocacy, Complaints, Special Population Services, All Other Requests)