Today is 211 day across the country – a time to highlight the social supports and programs that can be accessed through dialing that number.

The service, first introduced in Canada in 2002, expanded to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2020.

It is a free and confidential referral service that connects people to community, social, and government services.

Trevor Freeborn of 211 NL says because it was only introduced a few years ago, many people are unaware of the service they provide.

He says they have the “largest database of government and community and social services in the country.”

Freeborn states many people who reach out to them aren’t sure what they are looking for; they just know they have a challenge, and 211 can connect them to numerous services.

He says they get a lot of calls around food insecurity and housing. He says they can help people apply to government programs and services and make referrals. Freeborn notes they can also follow up with people to make sure they get the right kind of help.