2-1-1 Day highlights vital community helpline across the Chattanooga area

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A simple three-digit number is helping thousands of people in the Chattanooga area get the support they need. Tomorrow marks 2-1-1 Day, a time to recognize the helpline that connects callers to critical community resources when they need them most.

At the heart of the service are trained navigators who answer calls from people facing urgent challenges. Whether it’s trouble paying rent, keeping the lights on, finding childcare, or dealing with a health concern, 2-1-1 is often the first place people turn on their toughest days.

“Many times, people are calling on the worst day of their lives,” said Terran Anderson, Vice President of Community and Corporate Engagement. “They may be having problems paying their rent, have a health concern, or can’t pay their electricity bill. It’s not an easy job for the navigators, so we do everything we can to support and encourage them.”

Each year, tens of thousands of people across the Chattanooga area reach out for help. Anderson says the service assists about 57,000 individuals annually, offering multiple ways to connect. People can call 2-1-1, send a text, email, or search for help through the online resource directory.

United Way leaders say getting the right help at the right time can make a life-changing difference. The 2-1-1 helpline connects callers to more than 980 local partner organizations, helping them find the support they need quickly.

“2-1-1 has been a community-wide resource for over 43 years,” Anderson said. “We’re networked with more than 900 organizations and community partners to make sure people are sent to the right information in those challenging moments.”

The 2-1-1 helpline is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring help is always just three digits away.