This one's special

211info, as you know it, is evolving.  
 
From the day we started operating the 211 phone line, providing general information and referral to the community, our goal was to offer better support and guidance to people seeking services than they had ever had before. That is still our priority, but as I mentioned last week the way in which the community needs our support has changed. And we are changing with it.
 
Just yesterday, I received news that we have been awarded a $162,000 grant from Meyer Memorial Trust.

This is the second grant from Meyer Memorial Trust totaling $248,000 in awards of the last several years. The board and staff of 211info are very grateful.
 
This latest grant will help us launch a new service for veterans, active duty military and their spouses.  Our nation and state’s heroes deserve support when facing challenges back home. I want to thank the Governor’s office in particular for helping us secure this portion of the grant.
 
The remainder of the grant will bolster our statewide expansion efforts, helping us get the word out to primarily rural counties new to 211info’s suite of services.  We plan to deliver 211 service to 100% of Oregonians by the end of 2012.
 
The Meyer grant comes just as we have earned contracts and grants to fund several other new services:

• Providing phone support for people seeking answers about foreclosure mediation,
• Answering questions on the phone and online from those wanting information about health insurance, 
• Giving access to an in-house child development expert to answer questions from parents (thanks to the Oregon Community Foundation for their ongoing support in this effort!),
• Providing a specialized service to help low-income mothers.

These specialized services will grow as we develop a greater depth of knowledge and more tools to reach our customers, such as our new texting program.
 
We look forward to keeping you updated on the progress and outcomes these new services produce. We will improve lives in Oregon and Southwest Washington with these initiatives.
 
I want to thank you for your support. We could not have done this without people like you who care as much as we do about providing our neighbors with peace of mind and a plan of action to get back on their feet.
 
Please feel free to share this good news far and wide; we depend on you to help us spread the word. And feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
 
Thanks again!

- Liesl