Operated by the Crisis Response Network (CRN) in Tempe, the bilingual 211 Arizona live-answer service helps individuals and families secure local assistance for basic needs including food, health care, housing and utilities, veterans' concerns, mental health support and more.
The 211 service was suspended last July due to funding challenges and has been unavailable until April 30 of this year. To help the CRN reinstate the service to full operations, EPCOR joined Valley of the Sun United Way, Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, Southwest Gas, Tucson Electric Power, UniSource Energy Services and Vitalyst Health Foundation in contributing the needed financial resources.
"On behalf of CRN, I want to express our sincere gratitude to these organizations for their generous contributions," said Justin Chase, President/CEO of Crisis Response Network, in a news release announcing the support. "Live-answer service offers the necessary personal connection that people deserve when they are in need."
Making the 211 service available is especially important now given the uncertainties many people are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We're facing a generational challenge that has dramatically impacted our world," said EPCOR USA President Joe Gysel. "It is more vital than ever that our community – especially those who are most vulnerable – have ready access to resources they can turn to for support. The return of live-call 211 service does exactly that."
211 Arizona operates 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily and is also accessible at www.211arizona.org, via mobile app and – during non-live-answer hours – an automated phone system.
For further information, please contact:
Rebecca Stenholm
Director, Public & Government Affairs
EPCOR USA Inc.
Office: (623) 445-2424
Cell: (602) 390-5662
Email: rstenholm@epcor.com
About EPCOR USA
Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, EPCOR USA's wholly owned subsidiaries build, own and operate water and wastewater and natural gas facilities and infrastructure in the southwestern United States. EPCOR USA provides water, wastewater, wholesale water and natural gas services to approximately 665,000 people across 44 communities and 15 counties in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.