Original Source: San Bernardino County Sun
By: Gregory Bradbard
It was four years ago when Ann lost everything. A typical drive down the 91 Freeway, a route she had driven frequently while working at a law office for 20 years, ended suddenly in a 70 mph head-on collision.
The car’s airbags failed to deploy, leaving Ann lucky to be alive — but with debilitating injuries that would change the course of her life.
Ann’s car was totaled, she lost her job, funds ran out, and she lost her home. She now had no car, no place to stay, and watched as the independence and self-sufficiency she had fought so hard to achieve vanished right before her eyes. Finding herself disabled and unable to work, she was forced to move in with her elderly mother and submit an application for Social Security Disability.
After almost two years waiting for an SSDI hearing, and straining her mother’s very limited assets, Ann found herself increasingly desperate for resources to support her disabilities and offset her lack of income. While scouring the internet for resources, she kept seeing references like “call 211 for assistance” or “Get Connected — Dial 211”.
Ann called 211, expecting another dead end. Instead what she found was the “most amazing, sweetest, compassionate, non-judgmental, beautiful woman.”
As Ann recalls, a cheery voice answered, “Thank you for calling 211. My name is Crystal. How may I help you?”
Ann spoke about her situation and indicated a need for housing assistance and food pantry locations. Crystal provided multiple housing and food resources, while also serving as a voice of comfort. Ann was amazed at the help that was available and said she never would have known about it if she had not dialed 211.
Armed with the resource information she needed, Ann didn’t expect to hear from Crystal again. But just a few months later, Ann’s phone rang and Crystal’s voice was on the other end.
“I couldn’t believe it,” shared Ann as she reflected on the conversation.“I just didn’t expect her to do that because she had done such a wonderful job with the first phone call. I never expected anything else. She took the time to check up on me personally. She made me feel so good. She really does care about the welfare of people.”
Ann has lived in California for 12 years and never knew that United Way’s 211 existed until after her accident. It was simply dialing 211 that allowed Ann to find the temporary assistance needed to bridge a difficult time, thanks to Crystal’s warm voice and deep knowledge of resources across the Inland Empire.
The United Ways serving San Bernardino County provides the 211 service, which offers assistance to local residents 24/7. Anyone can call or visit the website to access more than 3,000 local resources, and specialists are available for issues related to veterans, homelessness, children, prisoner re-entry and transportation.
No matter what, Ann now knows that 211 is her always-available shortcut to resources, comfort and compassion. If you or someone you know has a need for health or social services, be sure to direct them to dial 211 or visit www.211SB.org.
Gregory Bradbard is president and CEO of the Inland Empire United Way.