In 2022, United Way of Summit & Medina’s 211 program answered 72,893 calls for help from local residents. Free and confidential, 211 has information on more than 11,000 services for Summit and Medina County residents. These services include supplemental food and nutrition programs, transportation, health services and more.
211 is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, simply by dialing 2-1-1. Assistance is also available via text – simply text your zip code to 898-211. Translation services are also available.
“Last year, one third of 211 callers had children in their home, and one in four were over the age of 60,” said Tanya Kahl, associate vice president of 211 and housing services for United Way of Summit & Medina. “No matter who you are, whatever your age or walk of life, 211 can be the entry point to the help you need in a crisis.”
211 helps advance United Way of Summit & Medina’s Bold Goals for 2028 – to advance early reading; boost graduation rates, college/career readiness and youth participation in extracurricular activities; financially empower residents; and reduce the Black infant mortality rate.
In addition to referring residents to resources offered by 1,318 agencies, 211 operators can schedule callers directly for appointments to United Way’s direct services. These include free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and free financial coaching through the Financial Empowerment Centers.
United Way of Summit & Medina and other 211 providers across the state of Ohio are advocating for state funding to ensure this valuable resource is available to all Ohioans. Currently, Ohio is one of only three states that do not have 211 coverage available statewide. To help spread awareness about 211 and find the contact information for your elected official, visit uwsummitmedina.org/advocate.
“It can be difficult for those seeking help to navigate the resources that are available,” said Jim Mullen, president and CEO of United Way of Summit & Medina. “211 is an entry point to an ecosystem of supportive services across our community. It connects people to a trained, caring professional, who will listen to their situation and identify the best resources to help them.”