State and local leaders, including four Rhode Island mayors and Governor Dan McKee, gathered at the State House Library on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate National 211 Day (held, appropriately, on Feb. 11) to highlight the importance of the work that the United Way of Rhode Island does throughout the state.

You’ve likely seen the United Way of Rhode Island in action, even if it’s just from noticing their huge, mobile RV office that, according to president and CEO Cortney Nicolato, attended 295 outreach events in 27 different locations throughout 2024. But perhaps you also relied on them during a moment when you needed help finding a job, locating a financial assistance program, or finding adequate housing for an aging family member.

“211 is not just a help line. We’re a lifeline for so many Rhode Islanders looking for support. It’s a confidential helpline available 24/7, 365, and in 200 different languages and dialects,” Nicolato said at the event. “We are there to ensure that Rhode Islanders, at any moment in time, have a place to go…What I love, and guarantee to each and every person who calls 211, is that you will get a warm, loving, compassionate voice saying ‘What can I do for you?’ And you’re going to get the answer to what you need immediately.”

Nicolato shared some statistics from the prior year, reporting that the Rhode Island 211 line received 213,000 calls in 2024, which amounted to an increase of 49% from 2023. They have reportedly handled around 3 million requests in total since the 211 help line was established in Rhode Island 17 years ago.

Those calls could be for a variety of things, including unexpected emergencies, requests for assistance with rising costs of living, or for sudden crises like the RIBridges data breach that beset the state at the end of the year.

“One of the most important things that 211 does is serve as a trusted source of information and support during emergencies,” Nicolato said. “In fact, from December 14th to January 30th we managed just under 995 calls related to the breach. We helped educate affected individuals on how to update their personal information, how to access free credit services, and reduce their uncertainty and stress.”

The help line was something that Nicolato and her family also found invaluable during a moment of panic when her 90-year-old grandmother started experiencing hallucinations and wandering off due to a worsening affliction with dementia.

“We had zero understanding of what to do. We’re pretty smart, but this is not our specialty,” she said. “She was not taking her medication the way that she should…she was not eating, and she found herself hallucinating. We could not find a place to keep her safe. And at the end of the day that is the most important thing we can do for a family member. If it wasn’t for my team…she wouldn’t be safe today. She’s safe, she’s healthy and she’s like a whole different person. We get to have my grandmother back, and my mom got to go on vacation for the first time in years. So thank you.”

East Providence represented

Mayor Bob DaSilva, along with Mayor Donald Grebian of Pawtucket, Mayor Brett Smiley of Providence, and Mayor Maria Rivera of Central Falls, all attended the event to show their support for the help that the United Way and 211 provides to their respective residents.

“Our community and our residents reach out to United Way 2-1-1 at their lowest points,” DaSilva said. “They reach out to them when they need it the most. They reach out when they need help keeping a roof over their heads. They reach out when they need help with utilities. They reach out when they’re hungry. When people are at their most vulnerable, they’re reaching out to 2-1-1.”

DaSilva stated that over 500 East Providence residents were assisted by 211 in 2024, primarily for help with rent, electricity, and heating costs.