To My Fellow Palm Beach County Residents

211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast is a local nonprofit organization which provides free and confidential crisis intervention, information assessment and referrals to community services.

Now in their 40th year, 211 provides professionally trained staff and volunteers who are available by phone 24/7 for issues such as depression, suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, child care, financial programs, domestic violence, housing and so much more.  In 2010-2011, resource specialists provided services to over 155,000 callers.

In addition to handling crisis related calls, 211 provides current information on community health and human services programs.  Other services include:

• Sunshine Telephone Reassurance program - daily calls to check on frail or homebound seniors
• Elder Crisis Outreach – provides intensive, short-term assistance to seniors in crisis
• Health Navigation - connects callers to the health services
• Teen Website – offers an online chat forum that is free, nonjudgmental and confidential
• Food Reference Guide – provides locations for soup kitchens, food pantries and food co-ops

Some examples of the types of calls received at 211 are:

• Parents struggling with out-of-control kids
• Adult children concerned about their aging parents
• Elderly adults trying to retain their independence
• Depressed individuals trying to keep their lives together
• Young children who are alone or afraid
• Teens struggling with adolescence
• The financially disadvantaged of all ages who are on the verge of being evicted or having their electricity or water shut off

The agency, which relies heavily on volunteers, is always in need of individuals who would like to make a difference.  For more information on 211 services and/ volunteering, visit their website at www.211palmbeach.org.  There is also a free downloadable Iphone app allowing users quick and easy access to the 211 database.

Please contact me if I can be of assistance or if you have any comments and/or suggestions.  I can be reached at sabrams@pbcgov.org or in my office at 561-355-2204 (West Palm Beach) or 561-276-1220 (Delray Beach).

Also, please visit my website at http://www.pbcgov.com/countycommissioners/district4/ for updates and links to county divisions and other governmental agencies.

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