February 11 is 211 Day, a time to celebrate the number that makes it easier for thousands of Greater Atlantans to access help when they need it most. For Laquinda Patrick, a hardworking mom of three and caretaker to her retired parents, 211’s help with Atlanta housing assistance became a turning point for her family.
When her mother Jeanette suffered a second stroke, Laquinda knew she needed to move her family out of their mold-infested apartment to somewhere safer that would support her mother’s recovery. She quickly found a nearby home for rent, but even with a steady job, Laquinda couldn’t afford to move on such short notice. With nowhere else to turn, her family moved into a hotel.
Each day while her mother recovered in the hospital, Laquinda would sit by her bedside to research Atlanta housing assistance, calling organization after organization. During the search, her mother came across information about United Way’s 211 Contact Center, and urged Laquinda to try and call. That call changed everything. A 211 Community Connection Specialist connected her to a security deposit match program that covered the upfront costs of moving into the new house, where her whole family could live in safety.
“I was just in so much disbelief,” Laquinda said. “Things like this don’t happen to me every day…At a time I was reaching out to so many people, and no one had funding. This was just a miracle to me.”
She still remembers the name of the 211 agent on the other end of the line, the one who gave her family a chance.
“My dream is just for my children to grow up and be the best that they can be,” Laquinda said. Thanks to 211, that dream is now in reach.
211 is Greater Atlanta’s most comprehensive network of support for families in crisis. Each year, our 211 team connects more than 400,000 Greater Atlanta families—just like the Patricks—to resources ranging from housing assistance to food pantries, to utility assistance, employment help, and even holiday gifts for children.
Between training and technology, it costs United Way of Greater Atlanta about $20 to answer each call. This 211 Day, you can help turn a family’s last resort into the start of a healthier life by making a gift today.