IMPACT 211 CLIENT STORIES
If our walls could talk, the stories you’d hear...
“It was difficult to pick up the phone, but IMPACT made finding help simple.”
As a mother, Stephanie would do just about anything for her son Nick. When she realized Nick’s substance use was spiraling out of control, Stephanie made the difficult decision to call IMPACT 211 to ask for resources that could help her struggling son. Laura, a compassionate community resource specialist, answered her call and was quickly able to offer targeted information and much-needed reassurance. Laura provided Stephanie with a range of local options from initial assessment and treatment for Nick to support services for the whole family. By the end of the call, Stephanie had the information that she needed to take the critical next steps saved on her phone.
IMPACT 211 community resource specialists are able to send referral information via text, including contact numbers, eligibility requirements, hours, and more. This helps ensure that callers have a handy record of all information at their fingertips.
“My mother loves her independence. IMPACT 211 helps her stay active.”
Elsa called IMPACT 211 seeking help for her mother Abigail. Since a community resource specialist wasn’t immediately available to take her call, she chose to use our callback feature rather than remain on hold. This technology allows a caller to hold their position in the queue and receive a return call from the next available specialist.
When Ryan called her back a few minutes later, Elsa explained that her mother was very active and independent, yet no longer drove so needed reliable transportation to medical and social appointments. Elsa said that she drove her as often as possible, but her new work schedule and daughter’s growing extracurricular activities limited her ability to also transport her mom. Ryan quickly gathered information and provided options for two transportation services that would allow Abigail to get to and from her activities and appointments, while also providing peace of mind for Elsa.
“I’m so thankful for IMPACT 211. Calling them saved my life.”
For her entire adult life, Dana had always been able to provide for herself and never needed outside help. Yet a few months ago, she placed her first call ever to IMPACT 211. Dana had recently suffered a financial hardship and couldn’t afford to buy groceries. While access to healthy food is vital for everyone, Dana is diabetic and relies upon daily insulin making her need even more critical. She was embarrassed to ask for help, but even more afraid for her health and well being.
Evelyn, the IMPACT 211 community resources specialist who answered her call, heard the urgency in Dana’s voice and quickly let her know that local resources were available to help. Evelyn gathered basic information from Dana and searched the comprehensive IMPACT 211 resource directory for available options. Within a few minutes, Dana had the contact information, hours, and addresses for several emergency food pantries and meal programs close to her Waukesha County home. By the end of the call, Dana’s desperation was replaced with hope and gratitude.
“You helped me keep my home. What’s more, you restored my hope.”
Late one evening, Olivia came home to find a 20-day notice to vacate taped onto her front door. Worried that she would soon be homeless, she dialed 211 and was connected to David, an IMPACT 211 community resource specialist. Olivia, a Dane County resident, relayed that she was behind in her rent, but had always been able to work things out with her landlord when she fell behind in the past. Olivia was caught off guard that her landlord hadn’t reached out to her before taking eviction actions.
David scheduled an appointment for eviction mediation for Olivia and provided several contacts for possible rent assistance. He also offered multiple resources that might help her reduce other expenses, such as utility and water bills. By the end of the call, the desperation in Olivia’s voice had lessened, and she said that she was feeling “hopeful” for the first time in a long while.
In addition to providing 24/7 coverage for 211 throughout Southeastern Wisconsin, the IMPACT 211 program takes after-hours, weekend, and holiday calls for many other 211 regions throughout the state. During every call, we address a caller’s primary need, assess for secondary needs, and provide as many appropriate resources as possible.
“Our daughter needed help. Turns out, we did too. Thank you for understanding addiction!”
Ron and Melissa called IMPACT 211 desperate for resources for their adult daughter, Desiree. She was due to be released from prison in a few days after serving time for actions stemming from long-term alcohol abuse.
Sensing their anxiety and agitation, Ryan, an IMPACT 211 community resource specialist, worked to quickly deescalate Ron and Melissa’s emotions by speaking calmly and slowly, and reassuring them he would do all that he could to help.
To ease confusion and better focus the conversation, Ryan asked to speak with just one person. Melissa stayed on the phone and Ron remained nearby to offer support. Ryan assured Melissa that parenting adult children living with addiction can be a difficult journey. He then asked key questions to better understand their unique situation. Soon, he could hear the calm returning to Melissa’s voice. And as she relayed information to Ron, both parents began to relax.
Ryan provided resources that Ron and Melissa could offer to Desiree, and helped them understand that they couldn’t force their daughter to do anything. He then suggested resources for family counseling — something that Ron and Melissa had not considered but were eager to explore.
At IMPACT, we know that addiction affects the whole family. By looking beyond their initial requests for help for Desiree, Ryan provided the best possible service to Ron and Melissa.
“Gracias IMPACT 211. Mi familia está muy agradecida.”
Worried about feeding her three young children, Janice called IMPACT 211 and was connected to Lynn, a bilingual IMPACT community resource specialist. Lynn quickly assured Janice that she was there to help and together they identified the best possible area resources. Lynn found several food pantries close to Janice’s home, including one that was still open that day and another that would be open the next morning. She texted the pantry information so that Janice could easily locate the resources whenever she needed them.
Before ending the conversation, Lynn assessed Janice for other needs and shared information about the Affordable Connectivity Program which provides free internet, and scheduled her for an Energy Assistance Program appointment the following week.
At IMPACT, we strive to go beyond the limitations of a single call. Our skilled staff, advanced technology, and community partnerships ensure our callers access the critical connections they need to change their lives for good.
Thanks for making it easy to get answers. We know our next steps now.
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“Thank you for contacting IMPACT 211, a community resource specialist will be with you shortly.”
That was the greeting Micah received when he clicked “Start Chat!” on the IMPACT website. Within minutes, he was talking with Alana, an IMPACT 211 professional. Micah had reached out to IMPACT on behalf of Elsa, a family friend who was worried that she was in danger of losing her home. Micah wanted to provide information to Elsa to help ease her anxiety about what to expect when, and if, she needed to contact IMPACT 211 herself.
With his friend at his side, Micah asked Alana key questions about Elsa’s options. Her situation wasn’t urgent yet, and Elsa was soon able to relax knowing that resources were available to help her avoid homelessness.
At IMPACT, we make it convenient and simple to access assistance. Our 211 services are available by call, text, or chat to individuals directly or to those reaching out on their behalf.
Once connected to 211, highly trained specialists like Alana assess a caller’s needs and make referrals to a vast database of resources. IMPACT has strong partnerships with a wide range of community organizations and nonprofit agencies to ensure that we have the information and resources to fully address whatever a caller needs.
“It was one of the best calls I’ve ever made.”
After two weeks with no electricity, a neighbor suggested Natalie call IMPACT 211. Rather than wait on the line for the next available community resource specialist, she opted to use IMPACT’s callback technology. Through this convenient feature, calls are returned in the order in which they are received. Just 12 minutes later, Jessie returned Natalie’s call and assured her that she was there to help.
Jessie began by addressing the most urgent need — restoring utilities for the household, which consisted of Natalie, her 5-year-old daughter, and her elderly father, a military veteran. She scheduled an appointment for Natalie the very next day with the Energy Assistance Program. After assessing Natalie for other possible needs, Jessie provided a variety of additional community resources that could help the struggling family.
Natalie represents just one of hundreds of individuals who reach out to IMPACT every day. With a goal to respect the time and dignity of every individual, our skilled specialists can be reached by phone, callback technology, text, or online chat.
“IMPACT 211, thank you!
You helped us find an appliance we could afford.”
Prior to calling IMPACT 211, Josiah had just about given up hope of finding a new refrigerator for his family. Their old one was broken, and he was unable to repair it or locate a new or used one that he could afford.
Maya, an IMPACT 211 community resource specialist, provided several possible appliance resources that Josiah had not yet contacted. After assessing for any additional needs and finding none, she texted the information to him.
During a follow up call, Josiah shared that he was able to buy a new refrigerator through one of the options Maya had provided. He was reassessed for any new needs, but there were none — other than a reminder that 211 is available 24/7 should anything change.
Follow-up calls allow IMPACT to make sure that the resources we provide truly do help people change their lives for good. Our comprehensive resource database is continually updated and managed by a passionate, skilled team of professionals.