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California United Ways operate 211 information and referral programs in 23 counties and significantly fund most 211 providers in other counties across the state. 

“You have been a great help to me!” — 211 caller who was looking for affordable housing information

211 is federally designated for use connecting people to vetted community services and trusted information. These helplines connect millions of Californians each year to housing, food, child care, and other services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

In 2025, California 211s answered 1.8 million calls and texts. Behind each of those calls and texts is a person with a story. Here, we share a sampling of stories from some of those calls. 

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A father of a young child with special needs called 211 because they were experiencing homelessness. 211 provided him with referrals for food, transportation, housing, and diapers. With the referrals, he was able to receive assistance with many of these needs and was able to sign a lease on an apartment through an affordable housing program! He even began to work in homeless services at a local organization shortly after.

At what was likely a very scary and overwhelming time as she was navigating a domestic violence situation, a woman reached out to 211 to get referrals for a wide variety of needs. 211 was able to provide her with resources for health care, food, and legal assistance—all in one call. 

A man had just gone through surgery and was unable to go out to shop for his own groceries. He called 211 for support and received referrals to senior and support services that deliver meals and groceries to homes.

A 31-year-old woman called 211 for rent payment assistance because she expected to have some financial issues that she feared would prevent her from paying her rent on time. The 211 specialist referred her to relevant services, including rental and utility payment assistance, and then the caller expressed concern for a friend—an undocumented single mother in a vulnerable situation—who needed resources. The 211 specialist went on to provide information about a family resource center and case management for the caller’s friend.

An older adult on a fixed income fell. He called 211 seeking resources for transportation to urgent care, as he didn’t have any family or friends who could help. The 211 specialist referred him to the Ride United service (a program supporting transportation needs to get to health care visits, employment opportunities, and social service appointments) and an outpatient health facility. The man was also two months behind on his rent and utilities, so the 211 specialist referred him to rent and utility payment assistance resources.  “Thank you for your patience,” the caller said.

A woman called 211 looking for support finding low-income housing for her sister, who has cancer and other health needs. Her sister had income and was staying with her brother, but she wanted a place of her own. The 211 navigator provided resources for low-income housing, an area agency on aging, and a warm line for emotional support. The caller shared how much help these resources will bring her in taking care of her sister.

A man reached out to 211 for support to help him quit smoking. As a result of the referral he received, he successfully quit. Later, when he was experiencing financial abuse, he was looking for resources and thought of 211 because they had helped him before. He reached out again and was able to get referrals to support him with a very different situation than his first call.

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“You were very helpful, knowledgeable and very patient in providing the help that I needed today.
Thank you so much!” — 211 caller who was seeking employment assistance

There are so many more stories like these. Our communities urgently need continued access to 211 to find the help they need, and the 211 service urgently needs state support to meet Californians’ ongoing, emerging, and disaster-related needs. Yet the state of California does not provide ongoing financial support for their 211 providers to ensure a consistent statewide 211 system, and 15 rural counties representing over 722,000 Californians have limited or no 211 service. Alongside the California 211 Providers Network and the Family Resource Center of San Joaquin County, United Ways of California is proud to co-sponsor AB 1832 (Ransom) and its accompanying budget ask, championed by Assemblymember Ransom and Senator Umberg, to provide one-time funding to strengthen the 211 network.