A new service has been helping out New Brunswickers in their time of need.
Mischka Jacobs is the director of community engagement with 211 NB.
She said it’s a free and confidential information service to help people find community or government resources.
Since the service launched in mid-October last year, it’s received over 6,000 calls.
“The top reasons people are calling are for COVID relief programs and safety advisories. People are calling for affordable housing, financial aid, emergency food, mental health and programs for seniors,” she said.
Jacobs said 211 can help in a really broad way, but when people need help, it’s not one-dimensional.
“When you call 211 and you ask for one thing, we can ask you questions, you can ask us questions, we’ll understand the full scope of what you’re going through, not just today but tomorrow as well, and offer you resources that you can leverage,” she said.
Jacobs said a mother receiving Employment Insurance with five children called in to make sure her family would continue to do well and was connected to resources to help with food, rent, clothing, employment counselling and Christmas gifts for her children.
Jacobs said a father called in on behalf of his adult daughter who lost her job due to COVID and had to move back in. He was originally looking for affordable housing for her but mentioned she’s struggling with her mental health and seeing a counsellor once a week.
The person who answered his call offered resources for coping as well. Jacobs said the father ended up calling for one thing and leaving with so much more.
211 is a provincial service but they’re part of a national team available Canada-wide.
It offers free, confidential, 24/7 access to over 170 languages to reduce barriers and you can call for yourself or on behalf of others.
United Way received funding to open up the 211 service from the federal government as part of its COVID-19 response.
