211 HELPLINE

One Call. Thousands of Connections. Help That Meets the Moment.

When crisis hits — when rent is due, when food runs out, when you don’t know where to turn — 211 is here. This 24/7, free, and confidential helpline connects people across West Michigan to local resources that offer real help, right now.

Whether it’s a single parent looking for childcare, a senior without heat, or someone just released from the hospital without support. 211 meets people where they are and stays with them as they take the next step.

With just one call, text, or click, 211 connects people to:

  • Food assistance

  • Housing and shelter

  • Utility help

  • Mental health and crisis services

  • Transportation

  • Health care

  • Employment and training

  • And more

Our specialists listen, ask the right questions, and help each caller find the resources they need from a live database of thousands of services and programs.

A Lifeline for People. A Tool for Communities.

People often don’t need more services—they need help navigating what’s already out there.

That’s where 211 comes in.

  1. 78,000+ calls were made to 211 last year across 15 counties

  2. Nearly 50% of callers needed housing-related support

  3. Thousands more received help with food, utilities, medical care, and basic needs

By connecting people to the right support at the right time, 211 prevents small problems from becoming full-blown crises.

Beyond supporting individuals, 211 plays a critical role in building a stronger system:

  1. We help identify service gaps and unmet needs across the region

  2. We provide real-time data to emergency response teams and community partners

  3. We reduce the burden on overwhelmed health, nonprofit, and government systems

In short, 211 helps the helpers. And in doing so, it keeps our communities more connected, coordinated, and ready to respond.

You Can Help Keep 211 Strong

211 is free for the caller, but it takes a coordinated network, up-to-date data, trained professionals, and consistent funding to keep it going. When you support United Way, you help make sure no one faces a crisis alone.