Yolanda on the phone at IMPACT 2-1-1 in January 2020
June 15, 2020
Donations to United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County help local people access life-saving resources.
Yolanda is a Community Resources Specialist with IMPACT 2-1-1, a hotline and online portal for people in need to access resources. Yolanda and her team are the first points of contact for individuals calling for help.
Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the number of calls 2-1-1 receives each day has increased exponentially.
“COVID-19 has had a huge economic impact on people’s lives,” said Yolanda. “Every day I talk to people who are worried about paying rent and where they are going to get their next meal.”
Recently, Yolanda spoke with a 79-year-old woman who needed help: “She called crying, saying she was hungry. Her husband had passed away, her son was in prison, and she was home alone with two dogs.” recalled Yolanda. “I connected her with the Department on Aging, who connected her with Meals on Wheels and even provided dog food.”
Donations to United Way’s Community Fund support IMPACT 2-1-1.
“You have to have thick skin, but I love my job,” said Yolanda, who previously worked in street outreach. “People call in tears but, by the time we hang up, I can hear the smile on their face.”
The 2-1-1 resource team works daily to make sure their resource directory is up to date so callers get connected with the most relevant information.
“People call me just to say thank you,” said Yolanda. “It is so rewarding to be able to lift the burdens off of someone’s shoulders.”
Donations to United Way support local programs like 2-1-1 that help people access the resources they need. Donate today and learn more about our work.