Stories of Impact 2022: 211 Metro Chicago

Chicagoans facing difficult situations now have a dedicated resource to contact for help.

Launched in January 2023, 211 Metro Chicago is a free helpline connecting residents of Chicago and suburban Cook County to a wide range of essential services. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, individuals can call, text, or go online to be connected to food pantries, homeless shelters, mental health counseling, rental assistance, and much more.

211 Metro Chicago reduces the burden on city and county emergency response systems; connects residents to local, trained resource navigators; and provides data that will be used to improve the delivery of human services across our region.

“2-1-1 is a resource that helps people in crisis navigate the different services they need while feeling supported,” says Alexa James, member of the 211 Metro Chicago Advisory Committee. James is CEO of NAMI Chicago, a mental health advocacy organization that also operates a helpline. “At NAMI Chicago, we’ve learned that the ‘no wrong door’ approach is so important because folks never need help in just one siloed area.”

211 Metro Chicago is operated by United Way of Metro Chicago in partnership with the City of Chicago and Cook County, and further supported by the business community and private philanthropy. The Trust made a $200,000 planning grant for the effort in 2022 and also serves on the advisory committee.

Whether we are leading or supporting, the Trust is proud to be here for Chicago’s most important milestones — now and always.