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Greetings!
We're pleased to announce a new feature of
CrisisLink's monthly e-newsletter--our
SPOTLIGHT ON series. CrisisLink provides a
comprehensive range of programs throughout
the region to 1) prevent crises from
occurring; 2) to intervene when they do; and
3) to assist those who lose loved ones to
suicide or another sudden and traumatic loss.
The new SPOTLIGHT ON series will
explore the many ways in which CrisisLink
does this by highlighting a different
CrisisLink program each month. We'll explore
how our programs operate, the impact they
have on the community, and provide related
information and resources. This month, our
SPOTLIGHT ON series focuses on CrisisLink's
newest program -- 2-1-1 VIRGINIA, which just
went 24/7. CrisisLink is the 2-1-1 VIRGINIA
provider in Northern Virginia. Next month,
our SPOTLIGHT ON series will focus on You
Talk, We Listen, CrisisLink's youth suicide
prevention initiative. We hope you find our
new SPOTLIGHT ON series informative and useful.
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SPOTLIGHT ON
2-1-1 VIRGINIA
2-1-1 VIRGINIA is a statewide, 24/7 health
and human service Information and Referral
(I&R) program administered by the Virginia
Department of Social Services and provided
regionally by 6 nonprofit organizations.
2-1-1 VIRGINIA offers a wide range of support
to individuals, such as housing or financial
assistance, or care for an aging or ailing
parent, and helps callers access resources in
the community when they need them the most.
The three-digit phone number helps
individuals navigate the increasingly complex
social services system. CrisisLink is proud
to be the 2-1-1 VIRGINIA provider in Northern
Virginia.
CrisisLink's Information & Referral
Specialists collect and maintain information
on more than 4,400 programs available in the
region and work with 2-1-1 callers to
identify and connect them to the services
they need.
In trying economic times, the need for health
and human services increases as people find
themselves struggling to make ends meet.
People who have never sought assistance before,
unexpectedly find themselves needing
assistance. By dialing 2-1-1, anyone can
quickly and easily find the services that
they need to help them get back on their feet.
It's not only people who struggle to make
ends meet. We're relying more and more on
nonprofit organizations to provide social
services, and in difficult economic climates,
nonprofits themselves often struggle to raise
sufficient funding to provide the services
that are so desperately needed. By making it
easier for residents to connect with needed
social services, 2-1-1 VIRGINIA enables
nonprofits to focus more of their resources
on serving clients.
2-1-1 VIRGINIA also helps governments better
serve the community. Call trends demonstrate
the health and human service needs of
residents. And the 24/7 availability of
2-1-1 VIRGINIA is key during emergencies and
disaster relief efforts.
Learn more about 2-1-1 VIRGINIA in the
Northern Region:
- Visit the 2-1-1 VIRGINIA web page on
CrisisLink's web site at:
http://www.crisislink.org/programs/211.
- The National Capital Region 2-1-1
Conference: Partnerships in Preparedness.
The free conference on Thursday, July
17th will explore stronger links with
emergency management and highlight regional
2-1-1 success stories. Learn
more. Today is the deadline to RSVP!
- Help us by spreading the word to your
friends and colleagues--request free 2-1-1
VIRGINIA brochures and wallet cards to
share with your friends, colleagues, clients,
and more. To request materials, please call
Tina Romero-Ita at 703-752-5264.
- 2-1-1 VIRGINIA in the Northern Region
and CrisisLink in the news! On Thursday,
July 24th, Fox 5 will feature 2-1-1 VIRGINIA
in the Northern region throughout the day, as
they discuss ways to reduce the cost of
living. Viewers can chat live with one of
CrisisLink's 2-1-1 I&R Specialists and other
organizations that are available to help.
2-1-1 VIRGINIA in the Northern Region will be
featured as one of the tools to help
individuals find assistance.
- Log on to 2-1-1 VIRGINIA's online
database to find the services you're looking
for. www.211virginia.org.
- Next time you hop on that metro bus,
check out the New Metro Bus Ads for 2-1-1
VIRGINIA in the Northern region! The ads
are located on the tails and interiors of all
metro buses. Get connected, Get answers.
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A 2-1-1 VIRGINIA Success Story
The following story is based on an actual
call to 2-1-1 VIRGINIA answered by
CrisisLink. Some elements have been changed
to protect the identity of the caller.
2-1-1 VIRGINIA's Northern region recently
received a call from Sam, an elderly man who
had been in and out of the hospital for
pneumonia and other illnesses and was put on
a nebulizer to help him breathe. The
nebulizer, which must be used every 4 hours,
required electricity. Unfortunately, Sam's
electricity had been cut off due to several
unpaid bills. Sam lives with his daughter,
but the two are barely making ends meet, and
have many other outstanding bills.
Sam called 2-1-1 VIRGINIA, desperate for help
in getting connected to an organization that
could help him get his electricity turned
back on. Diane, one of CrisisLink's 2-1-1
VIRGINIA Information and Referral
Specialists, attempted to connect him with
local organizations and agencies that provide
emergency financial assistance. However,
when Diane followed up with Sam, she
discovered that he had been turned away by
most of the area agencies, as many had only
small contributions to spare. Sam, too proud
to call 2-1-1 back and ask for help, was now
living on cold hot dogs and discounted food
from the local grocery store. He and his
daughter were getting water in jugs from her
workplace, and Sam was only using his
nebulizer once a day at a neighbor's house.
Alarmed that Sam and his daughter's situation
was spiraling out of control, Diane stepped
up her efforts to ensure Sam received the
help he needed. With the help of Sam's local
county Social Services agency, the Area
Agency on Aging, and Adult Protective
Services, Sam received enough money to get
his electricity turned back on. And once he
was connected to the Social Services system,
he became eligible for a number of other cost
saving programs. Sam is grateful to 2-1-1
VIRGINIA for following up with him and to the
many county agencies that helped him pay his
bills so that he can continue to live
independently.
This is just one example of how CrisisLink
serves area residents in need through 2-1-1
VIRGINIA by helping them navigate the complex
social service system and connecting them to
the services they need.
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Are you on Facebook? So are we!
Learn more about CrisisLink and help support
our much needed programs and services by
joining CrisisLink's Facebook Fan Page and
Facebook Cause page. Show your support by
becoming a fan of CrisisLink and joining our
Cause!
CrisisLink's
Facebook Page
CrisisLink's
Facebook Cause
You may ask, what is the difference between
our Fan page and our Cause page?
By joining our fan page, you will have
a direct link to CrisisLink's network of
friends and supporters. You can access
information about CrisisLink's programs, as
well as important facts and warning signs
about suicide and depression.
By joining our cause, Preventing
Suicide, Aiding Those in Crisis, and
Connecting People to Needed Social
Services, you can support CrisisLink's
vital lifesaving programs by contributing to
CrisisLink online. You will have access to a
media board, and our donor hall of fame,
where you can check out how others are
helping the cause!
Not on Facebook? Sign up for a free
account now, then search 'CrisisLink' to
join our fan page, or click
here to go directly to our Cause page.
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Thank you for your support!
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