TERRE HAUTE —
Food, utilities and housing are the top concerns of Wabash Valley residents who dial 2-1-1 seeking help in paying for basic needs.
More than one-fourth of the needs reported to The Connect2Help 2-1-1 program — which provides a 24-hour emergency hotline to Indiana counties including Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo — involved emergency food.
That is not surprising considering the economic variance of the past year. Connect2Help reports that about 19 percent of callers were seeking help paying a utility bill, while another 14 percent needed assistance to pay for housing.
“The last twelve months have been somewhat of a roller-coaster ride for our community,” said Lynn M. Engel, president and CEO of Connect2Help 2-1-1. “Despite a slight uptick in the economy, hundreds of thousands of people in Indiana still need help.”
In 2011, the categories of housing and utilities, combined with food and meals, accounted for 52 percent of all needs reported by Wabash Valley callers.
From March to June this year, more than 2,400 requests for help were called in to the 2-1-1 help center for Wabash Valley residents, according to the agency.
The 2-1-1 database has 515 Indiana agencies with programs to serve Wabash Valley residents. However, only 253 have a physical location in the five-county area. That can present a barrier for people who also have transportation limitations.
The mission of Connect2Help 2-1-1 is to facilitate connections between people who need human services and those who provide them. In addition to the five Wabash Valley counties, Connect2Help also serves eight counties in central Indiana — Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Morgan and Shelby — as well as Elkhart county in northern Indiana.
The agency also provides overnight, weekend and emergency backup for other 2-1-1 call centers around the state.
Connect2Help 2-1-1 is available around the clock, seven days a week.
“Sometimes, due to budget constraints, our wait times are higher than we would like them to be,” Engel said, “So, if you or someone you know needs our help, please dial 2-1-1 or (317) 926-4357 and stay on the line.
“We promise there is a caring, trained professional at the other end of the phone to give you the time, help and information you need.”
An online database also shares information about the many agencies that offer assistance to the public.
For more information about the agecies and services available, go online to www.connect2help.org and browse cagetories that include education; employment and income support; family and parenting; food and clothing; healthcare; holiday assistance; housing and utilities; legal services and financial management; mental health and counseling; substance abuse and addictions; and support groups.
Poverty in the Wabash Valley
Poverty rates of United Way of Wabash Valley service area
Clay 14.0 percent
Vermillion 15.4 percent
Parke 15.7 percent
Sullivan 17.1 percent
Vigo 20.9 percent
State 14.5 percent
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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Program finds Valley residents need help with food, utilities, housing
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