During brutal cold, there is help for those who need it by calling 211
Anyone in the state can utilize resources like 2-1-1, run by United Way of Connecticut, to receive help.
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Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol, which was activated last week due to an incoming blast of arctic air, ended on Monday afternoon.
The protocol ensures that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe cold, which could be life-threatening if exposed to the elements for extended periods of time.
Heather, from New Haven, shared her story with News 12 about how she called 211, run by United Way of Connecticut, for help when cold weather hit last week.
"You could tell the cold weather was coming and it came early this year," she said.
Heather and her husband have been experiencing homelessness in New Haven since September. When Heather called 211, she received a list of warming shelters in her area and was able to sleep at Varick Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church for a night. The following night when she returned, there were so many people that Heather was sent to a hotel.
"I felt like a queen. It was warm. I was able to sleep in a bed. I was able to take a shower. It was nice. There were other homeless people there and it was nice for all of us," Heather said.
According to United Way, 211 responded to 452 calls for assistance last week, booked 58 hotel rooms and saw an uptick in web searches on 211ct.org. The most calls came from New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport and Waterbury.
"It stands to reason that we're going to get calls from our cities where they are the most densely populated parts of our state," said Lisa Tepper Bates, president and CEO of United Way of Connecticut.
Bates said even if the severe cold weather protocol is not activated, anyone can dial 211 for help and resources.
"People may be eligible for something that they didn't even know existed. We might have a mother call, afraid that she can't pay the rent, but she didn't even know that she was eligible for heating assistance. If we can help her connect to heating assistance and save her that money, then that's going to make it easier to pay the rent next month," Bates said.
