NAP- Neighborhood Alliance of Pawtucket

Call 211?

What's happening in RI for your aid///

What if RI had one easy number to call to get information about where
to get
help, or to offer help, when a crisis occurs? We already call 9-1-1
when
there is a fire or other emergency, but what happens after the fire has
been
put out and someone needs help finding a place to stay? In the
aftermath of
9/11, thousands of calls were logged into CT's 2-1-1 system as people
called
to say what services they needed, and others called to say what they
could
donate or volunteer for.

United Way of America has been the lead advocate for 2-1-1 services
available nationally. (A description of 2-1-1 Information and Referral
Services is attached.) 108 members of Congress have co-sponsored the
Calling
For 2-1-1 Act, which authorizes federal investment to implement and
sustain
2-1-1 nationwide.

As many of you know, United Way of Rhode Island is in the process of
implementing 2-1-1 services here in Rhode Island. Our 2004 Community
Summits called for a comprehensive information and referral service to
be
created in our state. Our board has stepped up to the challenge by
making a
substantial commitment to create a 2-1-1 system for Rhode Island.

If the Calling for 2-1-1 Act passes, there will be federal dollars
available
to match our investment, as well as the investments of communities
across
the nation. Please help us by emailing back to me your endorsement of
the
statement below, along with your name, city you live in and the name of
the
organization/business you represent (if you represent any). I will
collect
the names and forward them to United Way of America who will send them
to
Congress. Thank you for your help.

Endorsement:

"We, the undersigned, endorse nationwide coverage of the three-digit
telephone number 2-1-1. We endorse 2-1-1 as a public/private
partnership, and call for federal, state, local, non-profit,
foundation,
and business investment to bring 2-1-1 to every American, so that every
American will have access to community, volunteer, health and human
service information and referral, both everyday and in times of crisis
preparedness and response."

<<2-1-1 Fact Sheet June06.pdf>> < Endorsements.pdf>>

***********************************************************************************************************
Kamila Barzykowski
Senior Vice President, Helping People in Crisis
United Way of Rhode Island

401-444-0626 * 229 Waterman Street , Providence, RI 02906 *
www.uwri.org