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Greetings!
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Spotlight on: 2-1-1 VIRGINIA
Provided by CrisisLink in Northern Virginia
CrisisLink is proud to be the 2-1-1 VIRGINIA
provider in Northern Virginia.
On
Wed., Feb. 11, 2009, CrisisLink will
celebrate the one year anniversary of 2-1-1
in Northern Virginia by hosting a special
conference on regional collaboration. RSVP
today and join us for this free event!
2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember phone number
that connects people with free information on
available community services. 2-1-1 VIRGINIA
is a statewide system, available 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week. The service is
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, including housing or
financial assistance, care for an aging or
ailing parent, or information on where to
deliver donated items, and helps callers
access resources in the community when they
need them the most.
In this tough economy, the need for community
services increases as people find themselves
struggling to make ends meet. People who
have never sought assistance before,
unexpectedly find themselves needing help. By
dialing 2-1-1, anyone can quickly and easily
find the services that they need to help them
get back on their feet.
Learn more about 2-1-1 VIRGINIA in
Northern Virginia:
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Conversations with: Donna, a 2-1-1 VIRGINIA Caller
CrisisLink talks with Donna, a 2-1-1 caller
about her recent experience reaching out to
2-1-1 for help.
Q: Why did you call
2-1-1
VIRGINIA?
A: I called 2-1-1 VIRGINIA after my
husband
passed out at work. As a result, he was
unable to work for several weeks and we
started to get behind on our bills,
particularly our electric bill. We have 5
people living in our house, including my
sister and 2 young nephews (ages 8 and 13).
We were very concerned about our electricity
being shut off.
Q: How did
2-1-1 help you? How was your situation
resolved?
A: The people at 2-1-1 referred me to
several
different agencies to assist us financially,
including Our Savior's Way Lutheran Church's
energy assistance program, Loudoun Family
Services Energy Assistance, Catholic
Charities Emergency Financial Aid, and Social
Services. While a few of the agencies had
run out of energy assistance funds, I was
able to get $400 in aid to put toward my $472
utility bill. We are still
working to find resources to help us
with our other outstanding bills, but we are
struggling much less with the knowledge that
our electricity will not be shut off.
Q: How would you rate your overall experience
with 2-1-1 VIRGINIA?
A: I am very pleased with the assistance I
received with 2-1-1 VIRGINIA. The folks at
2-1-1 VIRGINIA gave me more resources and
information than any other agency I called.
They had more numbers available than social
services and gave me numerous options for
handling the issue. I will definitely use
2-1-1 again if I ever need to and will
recommend them to friends and others.
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Thank you for your support!
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