ROP

United Way celebrates 10 years of 211 on Long Island

The Island Now
United Way of Long Island celebrates 211 Long Island’s 10th anniversary during 211 Day at Bethpage Federal Credit Union in Central Islip. Pictured left to right: Robert Suarez, AVP Community Development, Bethpage Federal Credit Union; Lori Abbatepaolo, Adult Services Librarian, Middle Country Public Library; Spencer Andrews, Constituent Liaison, Office of Senator Monica Martinez; Elizabeth Eberhardt, 211 Long Island Director, United Way of Long Island; Sergio Bedoya, Branch Manager-Central Islip, Bethpage Federal Credit Union; Mayra Escobar, Community Relations Director, Office of Assemblyman Phil Ramos; YouthBuild Long Island students and Town of Islip residents Jailene and Stephanie; and Sonia Acosta, Assistant Branch Manager-Central Islip, Bethpage Federal Credit Union. (Photo courtesy of United Way of Long Island)

Feb. 11, 2020, marks the 10 year anniversary of 211 Long Island. To celebrate this milestone occasion, United Way of Long Island joined a nationwide effort in recognition of 211 Day, held on Feb. 11th.

United Way’s 211 Long Island is a free, confidential and multilingual service for Nassau and Suffolk County residents. This non-emergency resource and referral call center and online database provide crucial information to those in need of assistance 24-hours, seven days a week.

With more than two million inquiries over the past decade, and to accentuate the importance of 211, United Way of Long Island held a cake-cutting and proclamation ceremony in Central Islip at Bethpage Federal Credit Union, a longtime community partner.

“Our goal today is to ensure that both elected officials and the public understand the immense benefit that 211 Long Island provides, which is connecting residents to a wide array of critical services such as job training, food pantries, and mental health or substance abuse counseling, as well as lifestyle needs like recreation, volunteer opportunities, or government programs,” said Elizabeth Eberhardt, United Way’s 211 Long Island Director.

“Middle Country Public Library’s online database has been operating for many years. In 2010, we partnered with United Way to form 211 Long Island to provide a comprehensive Call Center and data resource for all Long Islanders. It’s incredible to see the impact that this service continues to have on so many individuals from the general public to professionals to government employees,” said Sophia Serlis-McPhillips, director of administration at Middle Country Public Library.

The Call Center for 211 Long Island is staffed by trained information specialists 24-hours a day, seven days a week, who connect callers to critical and available resources across Long Island.

Services are offered in more than 200 languages and 211’s searchable online database, at 211LongIsland.org, includes detailed information on nearly 10,000 nonprofit and governmental programs.

For assistance in finding available resources in your area, visit 211LongIsland.org or unitedwayli.org/findhelp.

Submitted by United Way of Long Island

Share this Article