SANTA FE, January 26 – United Way of North Central New Mexico, the City of Santa Fe, and Santa Fe County are partnering to give Santa Feans greater access to local resources by linking United Way’s 211 information and referral Helpline to the CONNECT network. The 211 Helpline – CONNECT partnership will allow CONNECT navigators to provide referrals for services to community members throughout Santa Fe County, as well as give 211 callers access to a CONNECT navigator for more intensive assistance with services.
To celebrate this partnership and unveil a new “text to donate” hotline, United Way and CONNECT will host a ribbon tying event at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, at the Santa Fe County Administration Building Courtyard at 102 Grant Avenue in Santa Fe. February 11 (2-11) is celebrated nationally as 211 Day.
“This partnership is an important step in our commitment to ensure that Santa Feans have the resources needed to move from surviving to thriving,” said Rodney Prunty, President & CEO of United Way of Central New Mexico. “Information and referrals can help people with housing and shelter, personal safety, basic needs and so much more.”
“This innovative expansion of CONNECT through the partnership with United Way is yet another demonstration of our commitment to direct resources and services for community members in need,” said Mayor Alan Webber. “It’s simple: call 211 to get help. Our CONNECT team and United Way partners are there and will guide you every step of the way.”
“For the past several years, the CONNECT network has actively provided crucial resources to people in need. This proved particularly important during the pandemic,” said Gregory S. Shaffer, Santa Fe County Manager. “I thank the Board of County Commissioners for their support for the initial implementation, ongoing funding, and expansion of CONNECT, and I applaud the partnership with the 211 Helpline, which will make CONNECT even more robust.”
The 211 Helpline, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with English and Spanish navigators, provides free referrals to local services and resources such as health and human services agencies, government agencies, and community-based organizations. This essential helpline has been one of United Way of Central New Mexico’s services since the early 2000s and has grown to serve nine counties in the state.
CONNECT, a joint initiative between the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County to support access to services for Santa Feans, is a network of community navigators – health workers, volunteers, or social workers at clinics, community organizations, and city and county programs – who link community members with agencies to address social needs like rent, nutritious food, secure housing, utilities, reliable transportation, and safe physical and social environments.
United Way of North Central New Mexico, founded in 1934, serves a five-county region. UWNCNM fights for the education, health, and financial stability of every person in our communities. To learn more, visit www.uwncnm.org or call 505-247-3671.
To donate to the CONNECT network, text “CONNECT” to 26989.
To request help, self-refer to the CONNECT portal here or here, or call 211.
