So? I’m Dialing 2-1-1!
by John Sands
So I was sitting at the reception desk this Monday processing incoming mail and thinking to myself, ”I have got to come up with something spectacular to write about for my next blog post.” Mind you, my deadline was fast approaching, and I really had nothing. I’m wrapping up the last of the mail and someone hits the call button at our front door. I decide to hang around because in the regular scope of my job, I help people who come in looking for assistance or referrals for assistance.
As I listen to the story of the young woman now standing in front of me, I find out that she is seeking assistance for her boyfriend. He suffers from seizures and ran out of medicine the day before. Up to this point, they have been to a few places seeking help, with no luck. My first thought is to refer her to Metro United Way 2-1-1 assistance line. I could not really think of an agency or program to refer her. So I escort the young lady over to the office near the reception desk and dial 2-1-1 for her. I held on the line until I was able to brief the counselor on the young lady’s situation. I then left the room to give her some privacy.
When she re-emerged from the room, she had a couple of questions that I politely answered, and then she advised me that she indeed had set up a meeting with a program that would be able to help. We talked a little while longer, as she was a little apprehensive about some of the questions she was asked. I reassured her that any questions or concerns she might have, she should discuss openly when she meets with them.
As she walked out the door she thanked me and said this was the most help she had gotten in quite awhile. And I thought to myself, “All I did was listen and then respond to her need”. Really my part was so very simple. I just dialed 3 digits (2-1-1) and let our community network do what it is there to do.
I never came up with anything “spectacular” to write about. But with this one interaction I was reminded, that it is often not the “spectacular” that makes the greatest impact on people’s lives.
If you know of someone that is struggling and needs access to resources to begin to turn their situation around, Metro United Way 2-1-1 is an excellent resource. It’s available 24-7!