Let 2-1-1 Be Your First Call For Resources & Assistance
When the heat goes out in the middle of a Michigan winter, or when a single parent has to choose between groceries and rent, there’s one number that can offer hope: 2-1-1.
Right now, as federal and state budgets tighten and uncertainty spreads, calls to Michigan 2-1-1 are rising — a reminder that even in challenging times, the need for help never stops, and neither does the community’s response.
Michigan 2-1-1 is a free, confidential information and referral service provided by United Way of Southwest Michigan that connects people to thousands of local programs and agencies — covering everything from food and housing to utility assistance, child care, transportation, and mental health support. In times of crisis or financial stress, it’s the clearinghouse for real-time help, linking people with community resources they might never have known existed. The goal is simple but powerful: help people get the right help, right now.
2-1-1 specialists handle tens of thousands of requests each year. Each call represents someone in our region looking for stability — a senior who needs help paying for prescriptions, a family searching for affordable child care, or a veteran trying to find transportation to medical appointments. For many, 2-1-1 becomes the first step toward hope and recovery.
The beauty of the 2-1-1 system is that it works for everyone. You don’t have to qualify for benefits, and you don’t have to know what agency to call — you just explain your situation, and trained resource navigators connect you to the right programs. Their statewide database includes nearly 30,000 services, continually updated to reflect what’s available in every Michigan county.
To use this free service, you can dial 2-1-1 on your phone from anywhere in Michigan, and you’ll be connected directly to a live, local specialist. If your phone system doesn’t recognize the three-digit number, you can call 1-844-875-9211. For those who prefer to text instead, you can text your ZIP code to 898211 to chat with a trained professional, or use the online chat and searchable directory at mi211.org to find resources anytime, day or night. The service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and every option is free and confidential — no fees, no hidden costs, no judgment.
Locally, United Way of Southwest Michigan manages the service for Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties, ensuring that every call for help in our region is met with a local response. 211 is about connecting people to what they need, when they need it. When you donate to United Way, you are directly helping to keep this vital service alive for anyone in need of information.
With funding pressures at both the federal and state levels, many essential programs are facing uncertainty. But thanks to the coordination of nonprofit, faith-based, and community partners, 2-1-1 continues to be a steady, reliable bridge between need and assistance.
Even if you may not need resources and information yourself, a struggling neighbor or family just might. Share 2-1-1 or mi211.org on your social media to remind those around you there’s help available. If you’d like to assist in keeping 2-1-1 and other critical community resources going, head to uwsm.org/donate.
