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UNITED WAY OF CONNECTICUT | |
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Frigid temperatures. Skyrocketing costs for groceries, utilities, housing, child care.
Through it all, 211 is here – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year – connecting people across Connecticut to the critical resources they need to survive – and thrive.
In this month’s newsletter, you can learn about 211 Connecticut from multiple perspectives – from a mom who reached out to 211 for support during a tough time, to a Contact Specialist who works third shift. Our hope is that you will come away enlightened, and ready to share about this critical resource with your friends, family and coworkers.
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Last year in Connecticut, 211 responded to 1.8 million requests for help – a 300% increase since 2019! Despite this increasing need, 211 Connecticut’s core funding has been flat since 2009.
Contact your legislator to let them know you support additional funding for 211 so we can assist more callers, more quickly each day.
When CT Needs Help, 211 Answers the Call.
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MEG SLATER
Marketing Manager
Wright Pierce
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Meg is a former Board Chair at Middlesex United Way and a dedicated volunteer. Despite being employed and college-educated, she found herself struggling to make ends meet. She worked for an environmental engineering firm, earning more than minimum wage — yet as a single parent, it simply wasn’t enough. Here, Meg shares her story, in her own words, about how calling 2-1-1 connected her to the help she needed – and how she’s paying it forward more than a decade later. | |
A Roadmap to Fully Funded Communities | | |
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Connecticut’s Fiscal Controls have delivered $12.5 billion in surpluses since 2018 – but at what cost to our children and hardworking families?
Join our advocacy partner CT Voices for Children for an event series unpacking the state’s fiscal policies and exploring solutions to raise revenue for critical investments in our communities.
Mark your calendars for an event near you and register at:
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SARAH BOURNÉ
211 Contact Center Supervisor
United Way of Connecticut
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It’s three o’clock in the morning, and a high-risk call comes into 211 from someone who has the plans, means and intent to die by suicide. Sarah, a Crisis Supervisor, spends four hours on the phone with the caller assessing needs and providing critical resources, and when the call gets dropped multiple times, she fights to reconnect, continuing to call back. “I struggle with letting it go,” she says.
These high-risk calls are not uncommon on third shift. But Sarah has the expertise and training she needs to respond – she has more than 25 years’ experience working with individuals with substance use disorders and severe mental illness, and she thrives working in a demanding environment.
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I have always been deeply committed to substance use recovery, as addiction has profoundly impacted many people in my life. I firmly believe that while everyone may stumble at times, the true measure of resilience is the ability to get back up.
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Sarah began sharing her experience, strength and hope with United Way of Connecticut in May 2022. It’s the first time in her career working third shift, and she enjoys it, along with morale and camaraderie on her team and the flexibility it offers her to be more present with her children for their school and sports activities.
What resonates with Sarah the most is the 211 approach: “We provide a judgment-free space where people are truly heard. We take the time to listen to their full stories, assess underlying struggles and offer referrals, resources and support systems that encourage impactful, meaningful and lasting change.”
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This philosophy reminds Sarah of the Portia Nelson poem “There's a Hole in My Sidewalk.” A person walks down the same path repeatedly, expecting different results, until they recognize the need for change. “That’s the message I want the community we serve to hear: if anyone needs support, 211 is here,” Sarah shares.
When Sarah isn’t working, she loves spending time at home in Middletown with her husband, three children (ages 20, 16 and 13), one dog, two cats and three fish. She is very involved in her church and enjoys attending her kids’ sporting events and activities. To decompress from her job? The beach and the stars are Sarah’s serenity.
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My passion lies in extending a helping hand to those in need and empowering them to move forward — whatever that may look like for each individual. Every crisis is personal, and the best approach is to meet people where they are with empathy and authenticity. I love what I do and feel blessed to work at United Way of Connecticut.
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- 211 has been helping residents since the three-digit phone line was established almost 50 years ago in January 1976.
- 211 continues to serve residents even as needs rise. The number of households experiencing hardship in Connecticut (ALICE) has increased by 13% since 2019, leading to a 300% increase in 211 phone and web requests during that same time.
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- The top three areas of need in Connecticut in 2024 were housing, mental health support and food.
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- For information and community resources call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org.
- For 211 Connecticut news coverage, click here.
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