Harrisburg, Pa. — On 211 Day, Feb. 11, United Way of Pennsylvania and PA 211 are recognizing the vital role 211 plays in communities across the Commonwealth — and the Pennsylvanians whose lives are changed every day because someone answered the call.
In 2025, PA 211 provided 743,631 referrals to individuals and families in need — an increase of 79,144 referrals from 2024. Behind every number is a person: a parent trying to keep the heat on during a cold snap, a senior choosing between medication and groceries, a worker navigating a sudden job loss, or a family searching for stable housing.
Each year, more Pennsylvanians reach out for help, and the challenges they face are increasingly complex.
“Last year, Pennsylvanians rarely asked PA 211 for help with just one issue. Individuals struggling with housing instability are also trying to put food on the table, keep the lights on, navigate child care, or identify employment resources. As demand rises, the need for a strong, statewide, coordinated 211 system has never been more critical to help communities respond effectively,” according to Kristen Rotz, president of United Way of Pennsylvania.
“Every day, PA 211’s Resource Navigators listen to stories of resilience and hardship,” said Emily Aubele, Vice-President of PA 211. “When someone dials 211, they are often at a breaking point — and in that moment, real people are providing real support and creating real connection to local resources to change the trajectory of an individual’s crisis.”
This year’s PA 211 Day also comes at a pivotal moment for the service. In his 2026–27 proposed budget, Governor Josh Shapiro included a $250,000 increase to PA 211 — raising the state’s investment from $750,000 to $1 million.
“United Way of Pennsylvania and PA 211 are grateful to the Shapiro Administration for recognizing the essential role 211 plays as a partnership that strengthens community stability and ensures Pennsylvanians can access help when they need it most,” Rotz said.
State investment is critical to sustain the service for all 67 counties, maintain accurate and up-to-date community resource connections, and assure any Pennsylvanian in need can speak with trained Resource Navigators. As call volumes and referrals continue to climb, this increased funding signals a starting point on the shared commitment that is required to keep this lifeline strong for all in our commonwealth.
On this PA 211 Day, United Way of Pennsylvania encourages residents, partners, and lawmakers to recognize the impact of 211. Behind nearly three-quarters of a million referrals are stories of hope restored, crises de-escalated, and families stabilized.
When Pennsylvanians call, text or chat with PA 211, a real person answers. Beyond referrals, 211 also provides valuable, real-time data that helps state and local leaders understand emerging trends like rising housing costs and increased demand for food and utility assistance. This information is vital so communities can plan and respond proactively.
Sustained partnership and growth in state support is essential, so that promise continues.
To reach PA 211 by phone, dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211. A guided search for community resources and chat is also available at pa211.org. To chat with a 211 Resource Navigator on the web site, start a search for resources, and select the option to chat.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Get Our Free Newsletters
Never miss a headline with NorthcentralPa.com newsletters.
Sign Up Today!
Morning Headlines: Would you like to receive our daily morning newsletter?
Afternoon Update: What’s happening today? Here’s your update!
Daily Obits: Get a daily list straight to your email inbox.
Keep your news local
Access to independent, local news is important, do you agree?
We work hard to deliver timely, relevant news, for free. 100% of your contribution to NorthcentralPa.com goes directly to helping us cover news and events in the region.
Thank you for saying that local news matters!