SmartBanking Blog

We are constantly exposed to information, but it can sometimes be difficult to cut through the noise and find the exact resource you're looking for when you're in need. That's where organizations like Fairfield County 2-1-1 come in! We chatted with Executive Director Jeannette Curtis about this important agency and their mission.

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Hi, Jeannette! Thank you for talking to us today. Can you let our readers know a little bit about what Fairfield County 2-1-1 does for the community?

Fairfield County 2-1-1 is the information and referral service agency for Fairfield County. Our mission is strengthening access to services and enhancing community collaboration by serving as the connection between people in need and resources available. To help achieve our mission, we offer a 2-1-1 call center. Community members can call in and be linked with resources that will help them meet their basic needs. 

In addition to our 2-1-1 call center, we operate:

• The 24 Hour Crisis line for Fairfield County
• A representative payee program for individuals with severe and chronic mental illnesses or people with developmental disabilities 
• We offer housing counseling and support to homeless individuals and households facing eviction
• We provide community Outreach
• And we participate in many community coalitions and groups

How was 2-1-1 first established in Fairfield County?

Established in 1977, Information and Referral (I&R), now known as Fairfield County 2-1-1, was a volunteer lead organization that traditionally offered information and referral services to the Fairfield County residents with a specialty in linking callers with financial assistance provided by area service groups.

Over the years the need for service linkage grew and so did our agency.  By 2008, our agency was taking over 40,000 calls a year and providing over 50,000 referrals.  We decided then that we wanted to structure our agency to more meet the community’s needs.  We applied, and received, national accreditation through AIRS, the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems in 2014.  This gave us a solid structure to excel in customer service delivery.  Since then, we have expanded services, increased the number of staff available to assist those in need, and made a big impact in our community.

What’s your favorite part of your job with 2-1-1?

Making connections.  I love it when I’m working with a family, and I can link them to an agency that is going to help them meet their needs.  I love it when I can introduce two people with a similar passion, and they create a program to fill a service gap in our community.  I love it when a community member calls and needs help planning an event and I can connect them to groups with volunteers.  I just love making connections in our community that make our community stronger.  

Fairfield County 2-1-1 has an interesting and unique event coming up in May, the No-Show Gala! Can you tell us a little more about it?

Our annual No Show Gala is right around the corner!  As a small nonprofit agency, planning and implementing a fundraiser is time consuming and can use part of the dollars we collect from donors.  We would rather spend the money donated to us on serving our clients, so our fundraiser is a funny take on a traditional fundraiser because…there isn’t an event!  When you think about it, fundraising events can take up a donor’s time and cause them to incur expenses on top of their donation.  So instead of booking a venue, having dinner, creating a program, finding speakers/entertainment, and having a donor give up their precious time and purchase a ticket to an event, we just ask them to make a donation and stay home and spend time with their family!  

What advice would you give to people who want to make a difference in their community but aren’t sure where to start?

Identify your passion.  Find that one thing that puts a fire in your soul and then find the agency that you would like to support.  Making a difference can be done in many ways…you can donate your time by volunteering, you can help them fundraise, or you can purchase items needed to help them further their mission.  There are so many ways to give back.  If you need help identifying a program that fits your passion, give 2-1-1 a call, we can help! 

Where can folks find and follow Fairfield County 2-1-1 online?

Check out our website at www.fairfieldcounty211.org or you can find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FairfieldCounty211 

If you need to get in touch with us, you can call 2-1-1, contact us on our website or Facebook, e-mail us at [email protected], or text your zip code to 898211.