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Community Matters
United Way's 2-1-1 of WNC Newsletter 
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Greetings! United Way's 2-1-1 of WNC is your local community service information line, linking people to health and human services in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, McDowell and Transylvania counties*.
This e-newsletter is a resource for you. We provide this as a way to keep in touch, highlight local health and human service initiatives, promote information and referral tools for serving your clients, gain your feedback, and strengthen our community partnerships.
If you have information to include in this newsletter or have questions or comments, contact us. This information is meant to be shared, so please forward and encourage your colleagues and friends to sign-up.
*2-1-1 of WNC is part of the NC 2-1-1 system - click here to learn more. 2-1-1 is available to 90% of all Americans - click here to search for 2-1-1 in other areas.
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Community Resource and Referral
Past, Present and Future 
As 2-1-1 prepares for a new year filled with assisting callers, meeting new agencies, and learning more about resources in our community, we thought it would be fun to review and share some of 2-1-1's 2012 highlights:
Stay tuned for year-end reports about call volume and community needs, due out soon. We look forward to serving Western North Carolina with information, referral, and advocacy in 2013 and beyond. As always, 2-1-1 is a 24 hour a day, confidential and free community service informaiton line.
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2-1-1 Success Story
Advocacy in Action
According to the National Association of Social Workers website, advocacy can help communities is a variety of ways. 2-1-1 Referrals Specialists often use advocacy to assist callers access needed community support.
Keith, a 2-1-1 Referral Specialist, recently advocated on behalf of a caller whose power was about to be shut off. Because of a stroke the caller experienced, his communication was impaired and he was home-bound. Keith was concerned that the caller would be unable to access resources because of these barriers, and he asked the caller if he could speak to the North Carolina Utilities Commission, a utility regulation agency, about the caller's situation. After getting permission, Keith discussed the issues facing the caller with a Utilities Commission staff member and connected the staff member to his caller. When Keith contacted the caller a week later, he learned that the Utilities Commission had arranged a payment plan that ensured the caller's electric services would not be interrupted.
Because Keith understood the application processes of agencies, was aware and sensitive of the caller's possible issues with getting assistance, and advocated on behalf of the caller, the caller was able to prevent getting his power shut off. Keith's work as an advocate is a great example of the work 2-1-1 and its Referral Specialists do everyday in reducing barriers for individuals in accessing the community supports they need.
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Community Connections
Coming Soon: 2-1-1 in Rutherford!
You may know that Rutherford County is home to Chimney Rock State Park, an interactive children's museum, and Isothermal Community College, but do you know how to get in contact with these and other great resources in Rutherford? Call 2-1-1!
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Employment Opportunity
2-1-1 Referral Specialists Needed
Two part time 2-1-1 referral specialists are needed to deliver community information and referral services. One position is weekday mornings, based in the call center. The other position is evenings/weekends, based remotely from a home office. Ideal candidates have social work or human service background, knowledge of WNC, customer service skills, and computer proficiency. Ability to speak Spanish a plus. Send resume and cover letter to 211info@unitedwayabc.org United Way values diversity and equal opportunity in employment.
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