Published on December 3, 2019 in Basic Needs
In our region, 44 percent of families struggle to afford the basics like food, shelter and child care. For these families, one minor setback can lead to a major crisis.
Thankfully, United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline is there every hour of every day to help those in need.
Every day, our dedicated 2-1-1 call center representatives answer calls from our neighbors who are hungry. Homeless. Hopeless. People like:
…a mother who was out of formula and diapers for her six-month-old baby.
…an elderly couple forced to choose between paying for prescriptions and putting food on their table.
…a family facing a winter without heat because they’re behind on their utility bills.
People like Daisjona Whitson. Behind on her bills, Daisjona and her young children were evicted from their home and facing a winter on the street.
“There was a dumpster outside. The bailiff came. I was horrified,” Daisjona said.
Heartbroken and scared, she dialed 2-1-1 and got the help she needed to keep her family safe and get back on her feet.
Every five minutes, someone like Daisjona reaches out to United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s 2-1-1 when they don’t know where else to turn. Every year, that totals more than 170,000 calls for help.
Thanks to the support of our donors, we can continue to answer the call — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.