BY MARINA ROJAS
   SPECIAL TO THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
   

If you’re looking for all the answers to life’s questions, you will probably get a world of different answers from a lot of different sources. But if you’re looking for the answers to some of life’s circumstances, you will definitely find a lot of help at the 211 Riverside County referral service.

Established in 2005, 211 Riverside County is a nonprofit program provided by the Volunteer Center of Riverside County as a method for residents to get help in finding local free or low-cost services for their needs. Craig Redelsperger, program director of 211 Riverside County, said that their database is made up of nonprofit agencies in the local area, with details of the services they provide. When a caller dials 211, a call center employee asks about their need, plugs in their local zip code and then locates resources in that individual’s area.

While that sounds simple enough, “Most callers have complex problems or issues that our staff have to prioritize and analyze in order to successfully meet the caller’s needs,” Redelsperger said. “For instance, someone who may be homeless will need immediate help for food, clothing and shelter. We can later consider other referrals to programs for help in finding work, dealing with substance abuse or finding transportation to critical destinations such as medical appointments.”

Along with federal, state and local grants as their funding sources, funding for this service is also provided by a trio of United Way agencies including United Way of Inland Valleys, United Way of Corona/Norco and United Way of the Desert (Coachella Valley). 211 Riverside County is available without cost at any time for Riverside County pay phones, cell phones and home based phones.

One of the misconceptions about 211 Riverside County is that is a resource center for only individuals in need. Redelsperger said, “211 can be used by caseworkers, employers or counselors in the field. Anyone can call 211 and get referral information from our large database of non-profit services. For instance, an employer might need a counselor for an employee through their Employee Assistance Program. The employer can call 211 and locate a qualified counselor close to the employee’s home or place of   business,” he said.

During the holiday season people were able to call and find out where to donate toys or food for others. Neighbors have called to ask about helping their neighbors with domestic violence issues, or even simple things like finding a tutor, Redelsperger said. Sometimes a person may not qualify for a program, and that’s when Redelsperger said, “So they call right back, and we find a referral to a program that they do qualify for. We’re the middle man, a clearing house you could say, between a large group of non-profit organizations that have services to offer and those who need those services.”

Last year 211 Riverside County answered 76,911 calls from residents, many needing help in dealing with issues related to the economy or with natural disaster relief. There are no age limitations placed on the callers needing help, and there are many services like suicide prevention lines, alternative sentencing programs, senior ombudsman services, shared housing and transportation access programs available through the nonprofit agencies that register with 211 Riverside County.

“All we hope is that everyone in Riverside County knows we’re available to help them find help when they need it, and that any non-profit that would like to register with us gets in touch with us for entry into our referring database,” Redelsperger said.

Non-profit organizations can be included in the 211 offerings by contacting Carlos Garbutt at 951-328-8290.

 211 Riverside County offers help on Page EC3 of Sunday, January 23, 2011 issue of The Press-Enterprise