Today is 2-1-1 Day across North America.
To mark this day, 211 Ontario helpline is asking you to make the right call (#MakeTheRightCall) if you want or need help.
Knowing the right number to call will help people find the right services and will reduce non-urgent calls to 911.
“211 has rapidly become an essential community service across Ontario. It’s the easiest and fastest way for our community’s most vulnerable, and those who care for them, to connect to social, health and government services,” said Andrew Benson, Executive Director of Ontario 211.
211 is answered live, 24 hours a day, every day of the year including holidays. Residents can call 2-1-1 for information on community, social and health services, as well as municipal, provincial and federally-funded services like housing, employment and mental health and addiction agencies. Residents can also call 2-1-1 for services like food banks or for the non-emergency police number.
“211 is a valuable resource for Ontarians, and for police. 211 calls are answered by highly-trained specialists who know our community services and can refer callers to support near them. When residents make the right call, they help ensure 911 agents can focus on emergency situations and help save lives,” says, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Vince Hawkes.
Residents should always call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies or crimes in progress that require police, fire or paramedic services.
“211 is Canada’s one-stop-shop to connect to services that are often provided by charities and non-profits -- partners who cannot afford to publicize their numbers and rely on 211 to reach the community,” said Dr. Jacline Nyman, President and CEO, United Way Canada.
When people don’t know where to turn, 211 is there for them.
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Video - Make the right call (YouTube link)
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Backgrounder - How is 211 different from 311, 411 and 911 [PDF]
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Infographic – 211 in Ontario – By the Numbers
EXAMPLES OF 911 CALLS THAT SHOULD HAVE GONE TO 211
- Requesting the number for a local tire dealership.
- Reporting an issue with a vending machine.
- Asking for the non-emergency line.
- Because a car is parked too close to theirs.
- Asking if it's OK to park on the street.
- Asking for help getting a basketball out of a tree.
- Reporting that a building's air system is too loud, preventing sleep.
211 is the source Canadians trust when seeking information and servi2ces to deal with life's challenges. 211's award-winning telephone helpline (2-1-1) and website (www.211ontario.ca) provide a gateway to community, social, non-clinical health and related government services. 211 helps to navigate the complex network of human services quickly and easily, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 150 languages. 211 service in Ontario is made possible through the support of local United Ways, municipalities and Ontario’s Ministry of Community and Social Services
