United Way Spreads 211 awareness across Warren County during day of caring

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Volunteers with United Way of Southern Kentucky spent Tuesday going door-to-door across parts of Warren County, hanging informational door tags to raise awareness about 211, a free service that connects people with local health and human service resources.

The outreach was part of United Way’s annual Day of Caring and focused on neighborhoods where the organization says fewer people are using 211 despite a growing need for assistance.

Megan Henness, director of 211 operations for United Way of Southern Kentucky, said the organization wants to ensure everyone knows help is just one phone call away.

“211 is an information and referral contact line,” Henness said. “It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People can call, text their ZIP code, visit our office or use our website to get connected with nonprofits that provide health and human service resources.”

The service connects residents with assistance for needs such as rent, utility bills, food, transportation and other community resources.

While Bowling Green residents are generally familiar with 211, Henness said United Way is focusing its outreach on more rural areas of Warren County, where the number of calls doesn’t reflect the population.

The organization also used ALICE data—short for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—to identify neighborhoods where many households earn too much to qualify for traditional government assistance but still struggle to make ends meet.

“Those are families that may be just one unexpected expense, like a flat tire or another emergency, away from needing help,” Henness said.

One of the biggest challenges Henness says callers face is finding affordable housing.

“Housing is such a large need,” she said. “There’s just not enough affordable places for people to go. There are waitlists everywhere, so folks need a place to go, and they don’t have somewhere to go.”

Although many people associate 211 with financial emergencies, Henness emphasized the service is available to anyone seeking guidance. Family members, neighbors, social workers and case managers can also call on behalf of someone else in need.

She recently spoke with a woman who had never sought assistance before and didn’t know where to turn. While 211 can’t guarantee funding is available through partner agencies, Henness said specialists help connect callers with every resource for which they may qualify.

Rather than simply addressing an immediate problem, she said 211 specialists work to understand each person’s overall situation and connect them with services that may provide long-term support.

“We’re here 24/7,” Henness said. “Someone’s going to answer that call, and we’re going to listen, and we’re going to meet you where you are.”

Residents can access the service any time by dialing 211 to be connected with available community resources throughout southern Kentucky.