By RICK KAZMER
United Way of the Southern Alleghenies
Housing, shelter, and utility assistance were the leading reasons why residents in Cambria and Somerset counties contacted PA 211 last year, according to the latest reports from the United Way program.
PA 211 is a free, confidential, 24/7/365 hotline for basic human needs. When someone calls 2-1-1, or texts their ZIP code to 898-211, a trained care navigator is always there to answer questions, like "I can't pay my power bill, what can I do?"
Locally, the navigators are knowledgeable about United Way of the Southern Alleghenies programs, including our Diaper Bank, SNAP at the Market, and other funded programs through UWSA Partner Agencies.
Last year, 3,063 PA 211 contacts were logged in Cambria/Somerset combined. In Cambria, "Housing & Shelters" were the top need. In Somerset, it was "Utilities."
There were 3,698 contacts in Blair County last year, with "Housing & Shelters" as the top need.
Food, employment/income, and medical/mental health were other reasons people made contact with 211 last year.
Resource Navigators are trained to help identify the root causes of those needs and connect the client to a wide range of available resources that meet all the underlying needs, not just the one that prompted the call.