Health

New 211 Call Center Opens in Grand Crossing, Connecting Cook County Residents With Resources

A grand opening celebration was held Tuesday for a new 211 hotline call center in Grand Crossing on Chicago’s South Side aimed at helping Cook County residents navigate health and social service resources.

The 211 call center will be home to more than 50 full-time staff connecting residents to resources such as housing, food and utility assistance. The center, 7247 S. South Chicago Ave., is located at the tech workforce hub Xchange Chicago.

“By opening this new call center in Xchange Chicago, 211 is strengthening its presence in Grand Crossing and contributing to neighborhood vibrancy and economic revitalization,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony event.

Xchange Chicago and the 211 call center give Greater Grand Crossing residents a new sense of pride, hope and power, according to Ald. Desmon Yancy (5th Ward). 

“This is what’s possible when community, government, business, nonprofits, foundations and others all come together to do what’s necessary to create beautiful and thriving communities,” Yancy said.

Since launching more than two years ago, 211 has fielded more than 450,000 contacts via phone, text and web chat as of Aug. 1, according to United Way of Metro Chicago, which operates the new call center in partnership with Chicago and Cook County.

211 is free and available 24/7. Helpline services are offered in multiple languages, including Spanish and Arabic. The four most common needs for residents are housing and shelter, utility assistance, access to food, and employment and income assistance, according to United Way of Metro Chicago.

“By establishing the permanent call center in Grand Crossing, we are not only responding to our residents’ needs, but also investing in employment opportunities and the vitality of the Grand Crossing community,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “At a time when there is so much fear and division in our nation, I’m grateful to see that Chicago and Cook County can act in unity.”

Cook County Commissioner Kisha McCaskill (5th District) spoke about the importance of spreading the word to residents about the existence of the 211 helpline.

“This is not only going to be a lifeline for the neighbors and our constituents, but it’s also gonna be a lifeline to our emergency service organizations who need the relief,” McCaskill said. “So often, they’re taking calls from people that could easily call 211.”

United Way of Metro Chicago President and CEO Sean Garrett said the grand opening was 17 years in the making.

“We were the last big city in America to get 211, but because of the work that we’re able to do with so many of our partners over the last three years, we now have one of the most advanced 211s in the entire country,” Garrett said.

Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]

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