Pennsylvania Needs 2-1-1 Now!

2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that, where available, connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities, and is being spearheaded by United Ways and Information and Referral Centers in states and local communities.

United Way and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) strongly support federal funding so that every American has access to this essential service.

PENNSYLVANIA HAS NO 2-1-1 SERVICE!

As of November 2008, 2-1-1 serves over 234 million Americans (more than 78% of the entire population) through 244 active 2-1-1 systems covering all or part of 47 states (including 31 states with 90%+ coverage) plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico. The remaining states are all in various stages of planning and implementation.

Every few weeks, these coverage numbers increase. Click here to see a map detailing the extent of 2-1-1 coverage in the United States.

Every hour of every day, someone in the United States needs essential services - from finding an after-school program to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent.

Faced with a dramatic increase in the number of agencies and help-lines, people often don't know where to turn. In many cases, people end up going without these necessary services because they do not know where to start. 2-1-1 helps people find and give help.

HELP US BRING 2-1-1 TO PENNSYLVANIA

United Way of Erie County is advocating for 2-1-1 in Pennsylvania, and we encourage our supporters to do the same. Click here to read about proposed legislation regarding 2-1-1 adoption. At that same link, you can contact your state and national legislators and tell them you support 2-1-1.

Together, United, we can advance the common good and bring this vital resource to our community.