Cary, NC - Every year on February 11, we come together with colleagues nationwide to celebrate 211 Day. This special occasion honors the incredible dedication of our team by opening our doors to the community. We host an Open House, inviting friends from all over the state to experience firsthand the breadth and impact of our programs and operations.
If you could not make it to our Open House, I’m excited to share some Fun Facts about NC 211:
- In 2025, NC 211 answered over 326,500 calls, connecting people to the help they needed.
- The average wait before speaking with a call specialist? Less than 30 seconds.
- Our NC 211 Community Resource Directory boasts over 16,000 resources, carefully vetted and updated throughout the year.
There’s a common misconception that 211 is simply a phone system. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Oh, we don’t need to invest in just a phone system,” and how disappointing it is when folks have this impression. Because 211 is so much more than that. For someone in crisis, NC 211 is often the first step toward hope, a human connection, a compassionate voice, and real solutions. It’s about access, support, and guiding people through some of life’s toughest moments.
What truly sets NC 211 apart is our deep connection to communities across North Carolina. Powered by local United Ways, we’re rooted in the neighborhoods we serve and understand the resources available better than anyone. NC 211 data enable local United Ways to advocate for community needs, identify service gaps, and share the real story of what is happening on the ground. Our local United Way teams are made up of North Carolinians, your neighbors, who are committed to making a difference. This unique model is why our services stand out in the industry.
Time and again, I hear, “Wouldn’t it be great to have a directory of all the health and human services organizations in our community?” Or, “Can we use your resource directory for our own project?” It makes me cringe a little each time. Why reinvent the wheel when we can collaborate? Instead of duplicating efforts, let’s partner and invest in NC 211 to make an already outstanding resource even better.
During our Open House, we heard comments like:
- “I had no idea the depth of work you all are doing.”
- “Your resource directory is great. The most comprehensive we’ve ever seen!”
- And perhaps most meaningfully: “Why doesn’t everyone know about all the work you are doing and how great this program is for North Carolina?”
When you’re immersed in this work every day, it’s easy to forget that many people still do not know about NC 211 or its full impact. That’s why we cherish every opportunity to meet new faces, share our story, and demonstrate the difference our team makes. We want 2-1-1 to become a household number in North Carolina, and we know that it takes awareness, advocacy, and your support.
Here’s how you can help:
- Tell friends and colleagues about NC 211 and our Community Resource Directory.
- Connect with us on social media (follow, like, and share our posts!)
- Invite us to speak to your networks or community groups.
Our resource directory is a true treasure. A curated, meticulously maintained database that is best in class statewide and nationally. We’re proud to say it stands up to any directory out there, and we work tirelessly to keep it that way. Delivering this service requires a dedicated team: call specialists available 24/7/365, resource coordinators supporting local United Ways and ensuring accuracy, supervisors maintaining quality, and leadership driving innovation and sustainability. That’s why when others seek to use our directory, we encourage investment, so we can maintain and expand this vital work.
I invite you to make a donation to honor the hundreds of individuals we serve every single day. Or if you are interested in learning more about our partnership opportunities, please reach out to me, bpruittfletcher@unitedwaync.org.
In addition, please check out our recently released 2025 Annual Report. The report provides a detailed and data-driven look into the impact we've made for North Carolinians across all our programs, including NC 211.
Together, we can keep building a stronger, more connected North Carolina, one call, one resource, one community at a time.
