Noell Saunders, nsaunders@wdbj7@.com
It’s the 10th anniversary of 211 Virginia, a referral hotline that can help people with all types of needs.
For the past 10 years, the 24/7 free service has been a resource for thousands and it continues to expand.
There are four offices in the state, including one in Roanoke.
Call center representatives take in approximately 100,000 calls annually.
211 Virginia Statewide Director Robert Morrow says the call volume slowed down in the past 10 years but are still coming in steady.
“Now that the economy has improved a little bit, we’re seeing a bit of change in some of the calls. Some of the less critical needs we might be seeing more now then we were just a few years ago,” Morrow said.
211 has a database of more than 6,000 agencies that can help help with a wide range of categories including housing, healthcare, mental health and even emergencies.
“People need to know information like evacuation routes or where there’s a shelter or where they can get help in an emergency. They don’t need to necessarily call the rescue squad, they can call 211,” said 211 Virginia Outreach Specialist, Carissa South.
If you are internet savvy and like to find information your own there’s 211virginia.org.
The website serves as a navigator for quicker information and is available in over 50 languages.
On Thursday, Governor McAuliffe will be honoring the organization’s 10-year anniversary at an event in Richmond.