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United Way presents 2-1-1 helpline, reports 40% call increase after law enforcement outreach
Summary
United Way representatives explained the 2-1-1 helpline for local residents seeking assistance with food, utilities, housing and other needs and said calls increased by 40% after law enforcement partners promoted the service locally.
Carrie Newstead, executive director of the Livingston County United Way, and Audrey Choate, development and marketing director, updated Brighton City Council on the organization's promotion of the 2-1-1 helpline and related programs.
Newstead said 2-1-1 connects callers to resources for food, transportation, utilities, health care, housing and employment. She said United Way and local law enforcement leaders partnered to raise awareness; after police chiefs in several nearby jurisdictions began promoting the service, United Way recorded about a 40% increase in calls and online traffic. "People can call to get help with food, transportation, utilities, personal care, employment, health care, housing, and clothing," Newstead said.
Newstead said United Way focuses on ALICE households (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) and cited county-level figures: 28% of households in Livingston County fall in the ALICE category and about 5% were in poverty, the organization reported. Newstead said between 2023 and 2024 local poverty increased and that United Way continues to coordinate with partners, including Catholic Charities and the county's hunger council, to direct people to available resources and vouchers.
Chief Procter (police) described law enforcement's role in referring people in crisis to 2-1-1 so officers have alternatives to arrests or hospital transports when callers need basic life supports. United Way also said it will host a Day of Caring on Aug. 6 and asked council and residents to nominate projects by June 15.
Council members thanked United Way for the presentation and asked staff to coordinate follow-up contact for additional collaboration and outreach to Brighton residents.
