Alaska 2-1-1 help in 170 languages There are a lot of reasons to call
BY sabine poux
The phone service, operated by the United Way of Anchorage, connects Alaskans from every corner of the state to trained operators who can help them with a plethora of health and human services topics, from food pantry locations, to bus operation hours, to information about COVID-19-related closures. Callers could ask for a ride to a doctor’s appointment or for help for paying rents and mortgages.
For over a decade, staff have been linking callers with services from all over Alaska — including nonprofit, private, government, tribal and nontribal resources, according to Sue Brogan, the Chief Operating Officer for the United Way of Anchorage.
Most recently, Alaska 2-1-1 has added to its list of services rent and mortgage assistance for those living in Anchorage and struggling with loss of income during the pandemic. For a list of resources in full, visit the Alaska 2-1-1 database, here: https://alaska211.org/search-our-database
The line is accessible toll-free via 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221.
Thanks to a interpreter service, California-based LanguageLine, callers can talk to interpreters in over 170 languages. To access this interpretation service, dial the number above and let the Community Resource Specialist on the other end know that you need an interpreter.
The service, like all of 2-1-1, is free and confidential. 2-1-1 operators are required to take classes and undergo continued education.
The line is in service weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. “We are experiencing an extremely high call volume right now so we ask for patience and welcome callers to try back if they can’t reach us the first time,” Brogan said.
