NJ 211 Recognizes the Vital Community Hotline on National 211 Day
Cedar Knolls, NJ (February 7, 2025) – Tuesday, February 11th (2/11) is National 211 Day – an annual observance celebrating the go-to, 24/7 three-digit (2-1-1) resource that helps millions of people in the U.S. and Canada – including those in New Jersey. The three-digit service – which has operated for over 40 years – connects information about resources and services available in one’s community.
Based on the latest National 211 Impact Survey Data published in 2023, 211 triaged over 20 million requests. In New Jersey, NJ 211 responded to 321,828 calls, texts, chats and emails while our website saw over 750,000 searches from people across the state in 2024.
NJ 211 is a vital resource leveraged by New Jersey residents who need assistance with disaster, food, health care, mental health, insurance, stable housing, utility payment, veteran services, childcare, and other related needs. Other key facts about 211:
- 211 is 24/7, free and confidential, and accessible in 99 percent of communities
- 211 is offered in over 180 languages
- 211 specialists offer empathetic, non-judgmental care - and these trained specialists connect individuals and families to a range of available resources to meet their underlying needs, not just the one that prompted the call, text, or email.
"NJ 211 is a vital lifeline for New Jerseyans, connecting them to essential resources,” said Melissa Acree, Chief Executive Officer of NJ 211. “I am deeply grateful to our frontline Community Resource Specialists for their compassion, our Database Resource Specialists for their meticulous work, and our support staff and leadership for their unwavering dedication. Together, we make a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals and families across the state."
Established in 2000 by the Federal Communications Commission as the three-digit number to reach information and referral services for health, human, and social organizations, today 211 is a resource for help and hope in communities, like New Jersey, across North America.
While 211 is available every day of the year, it is especially helpful during times of disaster, such as hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires, by helping to spread accurate and vetted information—while ensuring 911 calls are reserved for physical emergencies.
During 211 Day, NJ 211 encourages residents in New Jersey to:
- Call, text, chat or email NJ 211 if they or someone they know needs help
- Share NJ 211 widely with their neighbors, family, and friends to connect others to help and support
- Advocate to your local policymakers for the importance of and need to strengthen NJ 211
###
About NJ 211: NJ 211 is a nonprofit organization that provides the 211 Service to the residents of New Jersey. This is a valuable information and referral service that connects people in need with a variety of health and human service programs. The 211 Service provides a hotline that operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year and an online, searchable human services directory of over 6,300 government and nonprofit programs which is founded on our website, nj211.org. Our services are free, confidential and multilingual.