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Hello, and welcome to Your Money 2.0. I’m Thomas Fox, Community Outreach Director at
Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. After working for nearly twenty years in the nonprofit sector,
I’ve come to belief that charitable organizations are among America’s best-kept secrets. There
are legions of Americans who, each and every day, provide critical services to people in
need. Unfortunately, funding cuts have made it almost impossible for many non-profits
to make the public aware of their valuable services. As a result, many people who could
benefit go without, simply because they don’t know how to find the help they need. Well,
I can tell you that I’m very excited about the United Way’s 2-1-1 service, which is
a free clearinghouse connecting those in need with those who can help.
2-1-1 is a free telephone directory, available throughout most of the United States, that
offers access to health and human services information. Essentially, the directory serves
as a resource for people looking to find government benefits and services, non-profit organizations,
support groups, volunteer opportunities, donation programs, and other local resources that callers
may be unaware of. In today’s economy, access to these agencies can be vitally important
for individuals and families who need immediate help. The services accessed through 2-1-1
vary from one community to the next; however, you can find a host of resources that can
help you for just about any situation you face. Let’s take a few moments to go over
the type of assistance you can receive when calling 2-1-1.
211 has established access to basic human needs resources that can help you in times
of economic uncertainty, including local food banks, free or heavily discounted clothing
providers, rent and utility assistance programs, and perhaps most important, emergency shelters.
211 can also help you make critical connections to physical and mental health resources such
as medical information hotlines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug
and alcohol intervention programs, and rehabilitation centers. You can also be connected to health
insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare information, maternal health, and children’s
health insurance programs.
As you know, many of our communities have been crippled by staggering unemployment.
Nationwide, roughly 15 million Americans are out of work, and the United Way’s service
provides valuable support to these individuals. 2-1-1 helps unemployed individuals connect
with resources for unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation
assistance, and continuing education programs. In our current economy, many people have,
for the first time in their lives, become unable to maintain their financial obligations.
2-1-1 can connect those in need of financial services, such as credit and housing counseling,
with the resources they need to successfully restructure their finances.
There are a host of other agencies you can find, for free, through 2-1-1, such as services
for aging Americans and persons with disabilities. One phone call can connect you with non-profit
organizations offering home health care, adult day care, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation,
and homemaker services. You can also become connected with agencies that provide quality
childcare, after-school programs, family resource centers, and academic tutoring.
2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the call is confidential. If 2-1-1
is not available in your state, you can find it on the Internet by visiting www.211.org
to search for the services I’ve mentioned. Well, that’s it for this edition. As always,
we welcome your feedback and ask for your thoughts and suggestions by e-mailing us at
yourmoney2@cambridgecredit.org. Thank you for watching. Until next time, I’m Thomas
Fox for Cambridge Credit Counseling.