
211 British Columbia – Help Starts Here
The navigators who work for 211 British Columbia never know what kind of calls each day might bring. Unlike 911 for emergencies or 811 for health concerns, 211 British Columbia is a vital lifeline for connecting people to resources in local communities, which is available 24/7 in over 240 languages.
Niina Niemi, Director at Helpline Services and 211 British Columbia explains, “It’s really a front door to help. We provide information and referrals to a broad range of community, government, and social services to assist with basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, support for seniors, and so much more.”
For callers in stressful situations, being able to text or call a 211 navigator while remaining anonymous can provide a sense of security when they are feeling like their world is falling apart.
When *Mary, a single woman in her 60’s, phoned 211 British Columbia she had been evicted from her home of over a decade when her landlord wanted to renovate; she found herself homeless for the first time in her life, and terrified.
With heightened emotions and anxiety, Mary explained that she was temporarily living on her sister’s couch. She didn’t want to be a burden to anyone, knew the arrangements couldn’t be long-term, and needed to find low-income housing for seniors. Lost in a sea of conflicting information and unsure of where to turn, Mary called 211 British Columbia looking for support.
211 British Columbia. For all of life’s challenges.
Mary is not alone in her search for a place to call home. Of all the calls received by 211 navigators across the province, housing and homelessness is the number one reason people reach out. The top 5 reasons people contact 211 for support also include inquiries about health, income and financial assistance, mental health, and legal and public safety.
Julie Wu, Operations Manager for Helpline Services, United Way BC, says, “Asking for help can be difficult, even more so when you’re not sure what’s needed, or where to start. That’s why 211 is such a valuable resource. Our navigators can listen to people’s stories, ask questions to understand the situation, and provide information on available options. It’s about wayfinding and we want to help light the path.” As a free service for all British Columbians, 211 can support those who don’t know where to turn with reliable information, no matter where they live in the province, their circumstances, primary language, or time of day.
For the navigators, each caller is important and deserves care, attention, and respect. For people like Mary, having someone to talk to who will listen, provide clarity, and a sense of direction, can be the tipping point for a positive outcome. Support with navigating a complicated system of resources is as close as your phone, right when you need it.
211 British Columbia. Help starts here.
*names may be changed to protect anonymity