IMPACT 211 Spotlight

IMPACT 211 Spotlight: Veterans

In the first three quarters of 2023, IMPACT 211 provided over 3,900 referrals to veterans or someone calling on behalf of a veteran. Among the referrals, 316 were made to 46 veteran service organizations.

2,694 calls from 812 un-duplicated individuals who identified themselves as a U.S. veteran (95%) or someone assisting a veteran (5%)
66% of the un-duplicated veterans who contacted IMPACT 211 were male. The typical IMPACT 211 caller is female (70%)
The majority of veterans who called IMPACT 211 were 56 years old or older (70%) and Black or African American (62%)
Veterans from all nine counties of IMPACT 211's service area reached out for assistance; 72% were Milwaukee County residents; 50% live in the lowest-income ZIP Codes of Southeastern Wisconsin
43% of calls from veterans were mental health related. During the same time period, mental health calls accounted for only 19% of the total calls to IMPACT 211

After two weeks with no electricity, a neighbor suggested Natalie call IMPACT 211. Rather than wait on the line for the next available community resource specialist, she opted to use IMPACT’s callback technology. Through this convenient feature, calls are returned in the order in which they are received. Just 12 minutes later, Jessie returned Natalie’s call and assured her that she was there to help.

Jessie began by addressing the most urgent need — restoring utilities for the household, which consisted of Natalie, her 5-year-old daughter, and her elderly father, a military veteran. She scheduled an appointment for Natalie the very next day with the Energy Assistance Program. After assessing Natalie for other possible needs, Jessie provided a variety of additional community resources that could help the struggling family.

Natalie represents just one of hundreds of individuals who reach out to IMPACT every day. With a goal to respect the time and dignity of every individual, our skilled specialists can be reached by phone, callback technology, text, or online chat. Read more client stories.

With 60 years of experience serving Southeastern Wisconsin, IMPACT helps people take the first step toward changing their life, for good. We assess and guide those experiencing personal crisis toward resources to achieve stability; and collaborate with community partners to foster system improvement.

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