As non-profit groups around the Maritimes launch holiday fundraisers, there’s an expectation more people will need help and fewer will be able to donate.
Mischka Jacobs is the director of community engagement with 211 NB.
She said it’s a free and confidential information service to help people find community or government resources.
Since the service launched in mid-October last year, it’s received over 6,000 calls.
“The top reasons people are calling are for COVID relief programs and safety advisories. People are calling for affordable housing, financial aid, emergency food, mental health and programs for seniors,” she said.
Jacobs said 211 can help in a really broad way, but when people need help, it’s not one-dimensional.
“When you call 211 and you ask for one thing, we can ask you questions, you can ask us questions, we’ll understand the full scope of what you’re going through, not just today but tomorrow as well, and offer you resources that you can leverage,” she said.
Saint John, NB, Canada / The Wave
Dec 27, 2020 11:01 AM
New Brunswickers now have an easier way to navigate the network of community, social and government programs and services.
Thanks to a partnership between the provincial and federal governments and the United Ways of New Brunswick, 211 launched this fall with a free, bilingual, confidential phone service.
Spokesperson Mischka Jacobs says 211 is available 24/7 and most calls are answered within 30 seconds.
“The beauty about 211 is that when you call, you speak to a person and not a robot. You are able to ask questions. The community navigators can ask questions themselves and information that you seek is more personalized and relevant.”