211 system connects people with services

Nancy Szocinski's phone has been ringing a lot of late.

"Our calls are up 50 percent," said Ms. Szocinski, coordinator of the United Way of the CSRA's 211 information and referral service. "This has the potential to be the biggest 211 year."

Through 211, Ms. Szocinski and her staff can link people in need with those who can help.

"The biggest need is for utility bills," she said. "Others ask for rent or mortgage assistance. There's an uptick in requests for homeless services and food assistance."

The telephone number 211 is nationally designated. It has been available in the Augusta area since February 2004.

In 2007, there were 10,300 calls to the service.

"Already we are close to 15,000," Ms. Szocinski said last week.

Although the number of calls has been rising, she said she knows there are still others who are unaware of the service. She often speaks for the United Way and asks the groups she addresses how many have heard of 211. Many acknowledge having never heard of it.

The 211 service can provide links to mental health services, substance abuse programs, job assistance and programs for children and families.

As the number of those in need continues to rise, the need for donations also increases. "An unknown to many is they can also give through 211," she said.

Ms. Szocinski has a staff of two full-time employees and an Americorps VISTA worker.

Although the 211 number works from land phone lines, Ms. Szocinski said, it doesn't always work on a cell phone. An alternate number is (706) 826-1495.

Reach Charmain Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.