Mile High United Way’s 2-1-1 Call Center Referral Specialists are our community’s silent responders.  They guide people in need to services like food pantries, homeless shelters, assistance with paying utility bills and much, much more. 

In 2009, Mile High United Way’s 2-1-1 Call Center received one call every 3.6 minutes!  That call frequency outpaced even the Denver Fire Department which dispatched fire crews once every 5.5 minutes during the same time period. 

So, on February 11, 2010 (2/11) we celebrate United Way’s 2-1-1. 

“2-1-1 is the single point of contact for those in need in our community,” says 2-1-1 Operations Manager Stephanie Sanchez.  

With a database of thousands of community services and agencies delivering those services, 2-1-1 Referral Specialists connect callers to the help they need, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each call is recorded, basic information taken and a representative sample is later surveyed to see if the 211 referrals received resulted in callers getting the help they needed. 

Across Colorado, United Way’s 2-1-1 is made up of a network of six call centers serving one Coloradan every two minutes of every day of every year. 

The important difference United Way’s 2-1-1 makes in people’s lives each day is immeasurable.  And, it’s drawing the attention of state lawmakers. 

Right now, House Bill 1073, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Roberts (R-Durango), is making its way through Colorado’s legislative process.  If approved, Coloradans filing their state income tax returns would have the opportunity to donate to 2-1-1 through a tax form check-off box as early as 2011. 

United Way’s 2-1-1.  Helping individuals and families in need in metro Denver and across Colorado every day.