United Way of the Brazos Valley preview of National 2-1-1 Day

This podcast is a visit with United Way of the Brazos Valley president Lizett Hawkins and the program manager for the Brazos Valley region of 2-1-1 Texas Hilda Salazar visit and WTAW's Bill Oliver about the free services that are provided ahead of the recognition of National 2-1-1 Day on February 11th.News release from United Way of the Brazos Valley:On February 11, the United Way of the Brazos Valley with our 2-1-1 program joins communities across Texas in celebrating National 2-1-1 Day, recognizing the essential role 2-1-1 plays as a trusted access point to health and human services.Our 2-1-1 team is part of 2-1-1 Texas, a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and is committed to helping Texas citizens connect with the services they need. 2-1-1 is known as the lifeline for help with basic needs, connecting Texans to numerous community and faith-based resources through its 24 call centers statewide. Calling 2-1-1 Texas is simple and convenient; the service is free, confidential and available 24/7/365 and offered in more than 90 languages (or chatting with at 211texas.org).In the Brazos Valley, the 2-1-1 Texas program is managed locally by United Way of the Brazos Valley and supported through strategic partnerships and responsible use of contract funding that sustain staffing, training, technology, and outreach. These investments allow the program to respond to emerging needs, identify trends, and ensure callers receive accurate, timely referrals to critical services. Throughout the year, the 2-1-1 team can be found at health fairs, distributing school supplies, and collaborating with our Early Literacy program to promote awareness of 2-1-1 services across the community.Hilda Salazar, 2-1-1 Texas Program Manager for the Brazos Valley, has been answering calls for help since 2005. In 2026, Salazar will celebrate 21 years of service, bringing deep institutional knowledge and a steady, compassionate presence to a program that often serves people during their most vulnerable moments.“When people call 2-1-1, they’re often overwhelmed and unsure where to turn,” Salazar said, “Our role is to listen first and help them take the next right step. Knowing that a single call can ease someone’s stress or change their situation is what has kept me here for more than two decades. 2-1-1 is about more than referrals; it's about helping people navigate complex systems and connect to resources that can stabilize their lives. Every successful connection matters.”During the most recent reporting year, the 2-1-1 Texas Brazos Valley call center supported 39,715 calls, connecting individuals and families to essential resources. A total of 8,662, requests were addressed across the region, reflecting the widespread and diverse needs within our community. The top five needs included Housing & Shelter (2,743 calls), Utility Assistance (2,039 calls), Food Security (929 calls), Healthcare (790 calls), and Individual, Family, & Community Support (567 calls).Beyond individual assistance, 2-1-1 Texas plays a critical role in strengthening the community safety net by collecting and analyzing call data. This information helps the United Way of the Brazos Valley, and its partners identify service gaps, track trends, and guide strategic investments that improve outcomes for residents.Lizett Hawkins, President & CEO of United Way of the Brazos Valley, emphasized the broader impact of the program.“2-1-1 Texas is a critical access point for our community,” Hawkins said. “Through strong partnerships and responsible use of grant funding, we ensure people receive accurate information and timely support, no matter their situation. Behind every data point is a person seeking help. 2-1-1 allows us to respond in real time to community needs while also using data to inform long-term solutions.”The purpose of National 2-1-1 Day is to raise awareness and remind the community that help is always available no matter the challenge.2-1-1 Texas is a free information and referral call center, connecting residents to community resources. Whether you need help finding childcare, food pantries, care for an aging friend or programs for substance abuse, 2-1-1 Texas is the number to call when you don’t know who to call.Trained Information & Referral Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and services are available in over 90 languages. 2-1-1 Texas offers a wide variety of referrals including food, shelter, utility assistance, housing and rental assistance, employment assistance, childcare, health care, immunizations, voting precinct locations, prescription assistance, counseling and many more other needs and services.Learn more at uwbv.org/211texas.