Call 211 for Social Services

Do you know what types of services are available to you when you are in need? Call 2-1-1 or visit www.ab.211.ca for to connect you with social services.

With the growing number of organizations in our communities, a lack of programs and services is often not the problem. The problem is knowing what services exist, which ones are the best-suited, and how to access them.

211 is a single access point to get information on a full range of social, health, and government services.

What is 211?

• 211 is a free and confidential information and referral service.
• 211 can help you navigate the large number of resources available to find the most appropriate ones.
• 211 is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
• 211 can help with day-to-day needs and those coping with stressful situations before they escalate into a crisis.
• You can call 211 on behalf of a friend or neighbor in need, or to find out where you can volunteer or donate your second-hand items for charity.

ACCESSING 211

Online Resource Directory: Search for supports by using the 211 Alberta search tool.

Phone: Dial 2-1-1 anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Online Chat: Chat online from 8am-8pm daily.

Text: Text INFO to 211 8am-8pm daily.

Email: 211calgary@distresscentre.com

Visit www.ab.211.ca for more information.

HOW CAN 211 HELP?

You can call 211 any time you are looking for assistance in the community, but some specific reasons to call could be looking for home care supports for seniors or individuals with disabilities, trying to find a job, looking for information on getting into school, looking for affordable childcare, where to go for alcohol and/or drug detoxification, finding enough money for food, rent, and other costs. 211 can also help if you have recently moved to Canada and need support connecting to local resources.

ABOUT 211

211 was launched in Calgary in 2005 and is available 24/7 in over 200 languages, assisting people who need information but don’t know who to call. In 2016, daily online chat was added to increase the ways that Albertans can access the service. Anyone can connect with 211 over the phone by dialing 2-1-1. The United Way has been instrumental in bringing 211 to cities in Alberta. 211 also analyzes data from calls to identify emerging needs, gaps in services and areas of high demand and shares this data with various stakeholders, including local municipalities.

How is 211 different from 311, 411, 511, 811, and 911?

211 connects you to non-emergency social, health and government services.

311 provides access to the City of Calgary’s municipal information, programs and services.

411 provides access to general telephone directory listings.

511 provides information on Alberta road conditions.

811 provides nurse advice and general health information.

911 is an emergency number for medical, fire and police emergencies only.