Smart Career Solutions in Southwest Missouri

An easy-to-remember phone number now available statewide puts individuals in touch  information on where to get help as well as where to help! Trained professionals will be answering calls 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and all calls are confidential. 

While United Way is sponsoring this effort, the information will not be limited to United Way agencies. This program is already in effect in over 40 states and parts of

Canada.

New Orleans was able to use 211 after Hurricane Katrina. Many people found the help and guidance they needed after such a devastating disaster.If 211 does not work for you, please dial 1-800-427-4626 and you will be connected to the services of 211. More information can also be found at www.211missouri.org. Please contact Valerie Searcy at the United Way of Southwest Missouri for more information, 417-624-0153.

2-1-1 Fact Sheet

2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember number that connects individuals with resources in their community.

·         Missouri has about 30,000 nonprofit organizations & scores of government agencies, making finding help confusing and intimidating.

·         2-1-1 call centers are staffed by trained specialists who quickly assess the callers’ needs and refer them to the help they seek.

·         2-1-1 is available 24/7, with multilingual capabilities.

2-1-1 enables people to get help or give help. 

·         Information is available on a broad range of services, including rent assistance, food banks, affordable housing, health resources, child care, after-school programs, elderly care, financial literacy, and job training programs.

·         Volunteers and donors also can use 2-1-1 to find out where their service or donations are most needed and appropriate.

2-1-1 benefits the nation.

·         A national 2-1-1 system produces cost savings for taxpayers, employers and government, an estimated $130 million in the first year (according to a 2004 University of Texas at Austin analysis).  A conservative estimate puts the savings at $1.1 billion over ten years.

·         As of Feb. 1, 2007, 2-1-1 is available to more than 196 million Americans – more than 65% of the U.S. population.

·         There are 209 active 2-1-1 systems operating in 41 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Supporting 2-1-1 benefits a community.

·         Instead of Missouri residents struggling through a maze of phone numbers and agencies, 2-1-1 becomes the umber to call for resources in their community.

·         Businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government officials support 2-1-1 as a way to improve the lives of the residents in their communities.

2-1-1 enhances public safety and crisis recovery efforts.

·         2-1-1 gives 9-1-1 operators a place to direct non-emergency calls so they can focus on life-and-death situations.

2-1-1 is a private-public partnership. 

·         United Way 2-1-1 in Missouri is funded through a $4.75 million grant by Missouri Foundation for Health for start-up and operational costs, and a $3.75 million investment from United Way of Greater St. Louis for operational costs.

·         Other Missouri United Ways working together on this project including the United Way of Southwest Missouri and the Carthage Area United Way.  

A new satellite location of the Missouri Career Center is opening in August at Lamar’s intersection of 12th and Gulf streets.  The move is promped by a large increase in customer traffic from the closure of O’Sullivan Industries in Lamar. 

Programs of the Career Center have been accessible since 2004 from a small office on Lamar’s downtown square behind McManis Insurance.  However, that location quickly become inadequate following the announcement of O’Sullivan’s closure in April and the resulting layoffs enacted since that announcement. 

The Career Center satellite office will occupy the location of the former Curves location in Lamar in the southeast corner of the 12th and Gulf intersection.  An exact opening date is not yet known, but Career Center officials are moving as quickly as possible to improve the volume and quality of services provided to customers. 

In addition to career counseling and placement activities for jobs and training programs, the center will offer frequent workshops and seminars open to all residents of the area in addition to former O’Sullivan employees.  The center is designed as a one-stop shop to connect individuals with information and services to improve their career prospects and overall quality of life.  

Check back often here at workforcezone.org for further developments on the new Lamar Career Center project.

Workers displaced by the recent closure of O’Sullivan Industries that have not yet connected with job training and placement programs through the Missouri Career Center are targeted for an important orientation event available August 1^st and 2^nd in Lamar.  Orientations are scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Thiebaud Auditorium in Lamar.  Following the orientations, career counselors will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions and assist with program registration and paperwork activities.

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