Iconic landmarks across Canada will light up in red on Tuesday, Feb. 11, for 211 Day, including Maple Ridge city hall.
This light up is aimed at highlighting the critical role of 2-1-1 as Canada’s primary source of information for government and community supports.
Dialing 2-1-1 British Columbia is a free, confidential service connecting individuals to essential resources like food banks, mental health support, financial assistance, and legal resources, explained Madeleine Eagleton, contact centre manager for United Way BC.
“211 is a lifeline for people facing challenges in their lives,” she said.
“We provide personalized support, helping individuals navigate available services before their situations reach a crisis point. By listening, asking the right questions, and guiding people to the best resources, we’re able to offer critical help when it’s needed most.”
In British Columbia, dialing or texting 2-1-1 or visiting bc.211.ca connects individuals to a trained resource navigator, available 24/7, 365 days a year.
It offers help in over 240 languages.
In British Columbia, housing and mental health services are the most common needs reported through 2-1-1. Housing and homelessness remain the top reasons for contact, while mental health-related calls have risen significantly, from fourth to second place, highlighting the growing demand for mental health resources in B.C., Eagleton elaborated.
While Maple Ridge will be lighting up the city hall on Tuesday, Pitt Meadows is not in a position to do so, explained Tia O'Grady, manager of communications for the City of Pitt Meadows.
Pitt Meadows does not having a lighting system at city hall "to efficiently light up for days of significance. We will keep our eyes open on social media channels, in hopes to amplify something shared from United Way on Feb. 11, to show our support," O'Grady elaborated.
