Wilmington, DE — (February 11, 2025)
Delaware 211 (DE211) and United Way of Delaware (UWDE) are celebrating National 211 Day on February 11, 2025, along with our 211 colleagues across the country. 211 is a national service that connects people in need to assistance, including help with rent, food, utility bills, and health care. Over 200 agencies nationwide provide 211 services, assisting millions of people each year. In Delaware, the DE211 Helpline, powered by UWDE, provides 211 services statewide.
DE211 is a free and confidential information and referral service connecting Delaware residents with support for health and human services. Anyone in need of help or information can call 211 or text their zip code to 898-211 to reach our trained 211 specialists. Delawareans can also visit DE211’s website, delaware211.org, to browse available services or to live chat with a community specialist. In 2024, DE211 handled ~47,000 live contacts, which included calls, texts, and chats, and our website had over 83,000 visitors. The DE211 team enabled almost 80,000 referrals to services or resources and helped Delawareans solve over 46,000 problems or needs.
211 is the country’s most comprehensive source of reliable information about local resources and services. It has the U.S.’s largest national directory of health and human services resources, with over 1.6 million programs updated annually. 211 makes the social services infrastructure more efficient by ensuring people in need are connected to agencies that can help them in the area in which they live. DE 211 takes advantage of the national database of resources to match Delawareans to the resources they need and follow up with their clients to ensure their needs have been met.
“I enjoy being part of Delaware 211 and providing hope to our callers,” said Jennifer Fromme, Director, DE211. “I work with an amazing team of community specialists who truly care about the well-being of our callers and go above and beyond! Whether you’re facing an eviction, on the verge of having your utilities disconnected, struggling to put food on the table or ensuring your child is meeting developmental milestones, DE211 is here to support you and your needs by connecting you to essential services.”
Dr. Michelle A. Taylor, President and CEO of United Way of Delaware, remarked, “Delaware 211 is more than just a lifeline for emergencies—it’s a powerful resource that meets a broad spectrum of needs. When a critical situation arose for a family member, DE211 connected me to a local program that provided air conditioners to seniors in need, ensuring they were cared for quickly and compassionately. This service truly makes a difference in the lives of those who need it most.”
DE211 community specialists often staff information tables at community events. Recently, DE211 added “Delaware 211 Live,” which enables our community specialists to open help cases for people at our community events. This is a new way for DE211 to reach people who need help, and it has already helped dozens of Delawareans at events around the state.
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About United Way of Delaware
United Way of Delaware brings together people, organizations, and resources to address the challenges caused by long-standing disparities. In partnership with passionate community leaders, we are dedicated to creating opportunities that empower men, women, and children across Delaware and Salem County, New Jersey. Our mission is to help families move from crisis to thriving, ensuring every child gets a strong start by reading at grade level. We are committed to equipping the next generation with the skills they need to become the workforce our state needs to flourish while also ensuring families have access to livable wages that support their success and stability. Together, we’re building a stronger, more vibrant future for all. Learn more and #JoinTheFight at www.uwde.org.
