Next week, for the first time ever, Muskoka residents will be able to dial 211 and access a wealth of information.

On Nov. 3, 211, a three-digit phone number to access information on health, employment, education, housing, disabilities, support for children and seniors, financial and legal assistance, and many other services offered by government and local community organizations will be available in Muskoka.

The Muskoka 211 service is based out of Community Connection, a non-profit organization located in Collingwood. The database of information for the service, however, was gathered in Muskoka over two years.

The 211 database was a long time in the making, said Muskoka Healthy Communities Coalition chair Evelyn Brown, who first read and researched 211 in 2001. Similar information services for Muskoka had been in the works since the 1990s, she said.

“I was about to give up, quite frankly, but when I start something I don’t like to give up. So Nov. 3 is a pretty special day,” said Brown.

Brown wanted to bring the information service to Muskoka because of her background as a teacher and Trillium Lake­lands District School Board director.

“I thought this is something Muskoka should have because my background is in education, and I have found that the families that needed the most support for their children or themselves had the hardest time finding that support,” said Brown.

Brown, volunteer Mary Armstrong and other volunteers worked on the project with the hope the free, confidential service would help people.

“Our whole goal is that it would benefit all Muskokans,” said Brown adding that people will be able to access information easily.

The service is available seven days a week and is offered in more than 150 languages. Each call is answered live by a trained information and referral specialist. There are no automated menus and no buttons to press.

There are 600 to 650 entries in the database, which covers the entire district, said Brown.

The number of services out there for people is part of the reason 211 is needed, said Alice Grottoli, communications coordinator for Community Connection.

“It isn’t that there is a lack of services – it’s that there are so many out there,” said Grottoli. “Individuals in a crisis situation – like being evicted from their apartment – need to know who to call.”

In the past, municipal governments and police have been used for information. Many people also dial 911 inappropriately, said Grottoli.

“That is tying up huge resources, both physical and financial, and often times a

call to 211 is more appropriate,” she said.

Grottoli said there is an easy way to remember when to use 211.

“If you have a burning, house call 911; if you have a burning question. call 211,” she said.

While Community Connection does not collect information about the identity of callers, it does compile information about the calls and this could help the community, said Grottoli.

“It does become a planning tool,” she said, adding call tracking can answer questions like, “Are we funding the right things? Are there gaps out there…. Are there trends?”

Development of the 211 Muskoka database has been made possible through the North Simcoe Muskoka Community Care Access Centre, the Muskoka District emergency services committee, Muskoka Community Futures, the Bracebridge Public Library, and the United Way of Greater Simcoe County.  

Through grants Muskoka Healthy Communities hired two full-time people to compile the database over two years. The District of Muskoka provided a computer and the Bracebridge Public Library provided a working space for the project, said Brown.

Muskoka is one of the first areas of 211 expansion thanks to an infusion of funding from the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services and a completion of the database.

“I think the fact that we are able to launch to Muskoka over other communities is certainly a demonstration of some very hard work and dedication,” said Grottoli.

211 started in the United States in 1997.  

Ontario has eight service organizations, which are currently growing to serve the entire province by 2011.  A province-wide searchable database is available at 211Ontario.ca.  

The public is welcome to learn more about the 211 service during an open house at the District of Muskoka office Nov. 3 on Pine Street  3:30 to 5:30 p.m.