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2-1-1 Access at all Cleveland Public Library Branches
Help from United Way of Greater Cleveland’s 2-1-1 team of navigators is now just one phone call away at all Cleveland Public Library locations. As of summer 2021, the Library is teaming up with United Way to provide Clevelanders with a direct link to vital resources and services.
“Cleveland Public Library is more than books. We’re a resource and a safe place for the community to seek assistance and resources to enhance all facets of life,” said Felton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director and CEO of Cleveland Public Library. “Access to United Way of Greater Cleveland’s 2-1-1 at the Library will help our patrons reach vital services.”
Visitors can walk in or set up an appointment in advance at a library location to access a dedicated phone line to speak with one of United Way 2-1-1’s highly trained navigation specialists who have a passion for problem solving and working with clients to provide essential services and assistance.
“United Way of Greater Cleveland’s 2-1-1 team is pleased to partner with Cleveland Public Library to expand our services to anyone in need of resources and support, including shelter, food and more, at all Library locations,” said Augie Napoli, United Way of Greater Cleveland’s president and CEO. “United Way’s 2-1-1 continues to serve as an anchor to the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic – and beyond – connecting Clevelanders with essential, life-saving services, including COVID-19 vaccination assistance.”
United Way’s 2-1-1 is a free, anonymous and 24/7 service that connects callers with friendly and compassionate navigation specialists who will ask a series of questions about the caller’s circumstances. United Way’s 2-1-1 navigation specialists develop customized plans tailored to a caller’s urgency, proximity to resources, physical abilities and more using United Way’s community resource database of more than 16,000 government, health and human services programs.
In one out of every three calls, navigation specialists identify multiple areas of need where additional resources and assistance are provided.
In 2021, over 118,000 Greater Cleveland residents reached out to United Way’s 2-1-1 navigation specialists with over 150,00 needs expressed in one or more of the following categories:
Food;Housing & Utility Assistance Employment Services; Health Care, including COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance; Mental Health & Other Counseling Services; Drug & Alcohol Treatment; Child & Family Support; Legal ServicesVeterans’ Services; Income Support; and Tax Preparation Assistance