The people 211info serves are changing, and with them we must change the way we serve our community. This blog – Get Connected – along with our other social media and web resources, will supplement long established methods of connecting people with resources by capitalizing on the momentum of new technologies. In short — we aim to become futurists.
We are getting calls from the formerly middle class or “new poor” who are seeking services from organizations they used to donate to. New generations of computer savvy, service providers – such as therapists and case workers – are increasingly relying on websites to find resources for their clients. And as segments of today’s youth become more reliant on the human service system, they are going to demand we communicate with them in mediums they understand. Fliers and pay phones are not enough.
211info Online Database Searches - 2008 vs. 2009
As overall call volume has increased, due to the recession, our online resource database has seen a dramatic increase in unique visitor and web searches as well. 211info expects the trend of people looking online for resources to continue and evolve.
Of course, traditional means of information and referral, such as the 2-1-1 number, can never be replaced. However, the mission of 211info – getting people connected to the resources they need – is only enhanced by the interconnected and relational based nature of social media. The impetus is on 211info, service providers, government officials and the entire human services community to relate to those who need us in ways they understand. I am reminded of a quote in a recently published report “Convergence: How Five Trends Will Reshape the Social Sector” by the James Irvine Foundation:
“For the nonprofit sector to survive and thrive, everyone — nonprofits, funders and capacity builders alike — must become futurists. Being a futurist requires both individual and institutional curiosity, and a willingness to take risks. No one of us can afford to rest on our laurels, assuming that the old ways of doing business will continue to serve us in this dramatically new and ever-changing environment. Nor can we rely on external experts, scholars or think tanks to map the road ahead for us — it is our responsibility to envision and shape the future for ourselves, our organizations and our society.”
The only question is: how will we become futurists? The use of text messages and instant chats is surely on the horizon. The human service industry is changing before our eyes, and we look forward to building relationships with everyone in our community.
- Matt Kinshella, External Relations Coordinator, 211info
