Now it's easy to get connected and find the help you need. 2-1-1 is a free confidential ph number available 24 hours a day, seven days a week-including holidays. When you call 2-1-1, you'll talk with trained call counselors who can provide referrals for food, shelter, clothing, crisis counseling, substance abuse issues, employment, financial and legal issues, physical and mental health needs, and more. So remember, if it's an emergency, call 9-1-1. But for everything else, call 2-1-1.

Here to help. Western New York Military Family Project

Here to help. Western New York Military Family Project Going to war changes everything. On January 4, 2008, we formally launched the Western New York Military Family Project. This project is the first of its kind in the nation and our goal is to bridge the gap between available military services and civilian non-profit providers. With the large number of Reserve and National Guard members being activated, families that had not expected and are not prepared for deployment face a multitude of significant problems during and after their family members return to civilian life. The Western New York Military Family Project assists families during deployment and after being discharged, navigating the military services and making referrals to civilian providers when those services are not enough. We created a special website (www.wnymilitaryfamily.com) which contains a database of primary military services. 2-1-1 also hired a military specialist who is responsible for meeting with military families to assist them in sorting out their issues. Like many of our initiatives, this project is overseen by an advisory committee consisting of members of the military, military service organizations, military family members and interested local human service agencies.

Connection made on 2-1-1.
December 4, 2007—Buffalo, NY—Luke Moretti, WIVB News Channel 4

With the snip of a ribbon, Western New York's 2-1-1 ph service is now fully functional.

Kevin Murphy, Chairman, 2-1-1 Advisory Committee, “This 2-1-1 service will allow any resident to call 2-1-1, get a trained professional on the ph and quickly and efficiently direct them to the service that they need.”

The call center is located in the Erie County Public Safety Campus in Buffalo. It's now available to residents of Niagara, Erie, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, specially trained operators are here to take any non-emergency calls from people seeking health and human services. Click here for the complete story.

How 2-1-1 helped me. —An Anonymous Testimonial—

“My son-in-law suffered a spinal cord injury that left him in a nursing home in another state. He was separated from us at a time when he needed family the most—I was devastated. I made it my personal mission to bring him back home. That’s when I called 2-1-1.

From the minute I heard a hello on the other end, I was rambling off questions about physician referrals, Section 8 housing, rehabilitation services, and medical insurance. I must have asked that poor woman a million questions. By the end of the conversation, I had referrals for all my questions and answers to some I hadn’t even thought to ask. She even called me back to make sure I’d made progress with bringing Ben home. I was very happy to tell her that, thanks to her and 2-1-1, my son-in-law is coming home in April.”