Each week we will post a summary of interesting and representative 211 calls. This week, we have a connection from Manitoba.

Manitoba:

211 is all about making connections. Often people are out or in a place where they are not able to search through many resources or websites. 211 can quickly link them to the resources that are needed.

A pastor called 211 from Winnipeg and described seeing a woman in crisis on the corner of the street in front of the church. He and some other passersby had engaged the woman in conversation and stated that the woman was in acute distress. He said that she did not appear to need medical help, but that she could use some supports from a crisis/street outreach team to assist her.

The Service Navigator probed for more information and a physical description of the woman, so that a street outreach team could find her. She also collected information on the precise location of the woman who needed help. With the caller’s consent, the Service Navigator called the Main Street Project’s Van Patrol Outreach Program and relayed the situation and all of the information to them. They agreed to go out and assist the woman.

At the end of the call, the pastor said: “I thought about calling 211 first, before reaching out to any other organizations. It’s hard to connect with organizations on the weekend. Thank you so much for connecting with the Street Team to provide service. We’ll await the supports.”