211 Manitoba Responsive Website

Imagine a friend reveals over coffee that her daughter is having suicidal thoughts. Imagine your aging parents live in a rural community and you have no idea what’s nearby to help them. Imagine you’re on the verge of homelessness and don’t know what to do.

Manitobans often didn’t know where to start when looking for the right community or social resource. Service providers and first responders also didn’t have an easy to use tool to direct people to the right resource. For over a decade United Way of Winnipeg and Volunteer Manitoba developed the concept for such a service called 211 Manitoba. They knew the service could help all Manitoban’s but the cost of delivering the service as a call line, similar to 911 or 411, would be too costly. They needed a way to deliver the service in a modern way, accessible to all Manitobans.

Delivering the service through a responsive website and app made the initiative feasible – allowing Manitoba to join the national 211 network active in seven Canadian provinces and one territory. Tactica collaborated with United Way of Winnipeg and Volunteer Manitoba to create 211 Manitoba website: a searchable online database of government, health, and social services that are available across the province. The service helps Manitobans who are looking to find the right community or social resource but don’t know where to start. 211 Manitoba also helps first responders, social workers, police, and other service providers find simple, accurate information to direct people to the right resource.

Intuitive search

The search tool is simple and intuitive so Manitobans can quickly find the help they need from government and community-based health and social services from across the province. The 211 Manitoba database of 5,000 agencies and programs will be continuously monitored and kept up-to-date to ensure current and correct information is made available. Services are grouped together into categories that include food and clothing, housing and homelessness, health, mental health, employment, newcomers, children and parenting, and youth.

Manitobans facing challenges related to homelessness, food security, mental health, addictions, community safety, and much more will now be able to find the resources they need to get help. The website will also relieve pressures on 911 and related emergency service costs.

“It’s leveraging technology to provide people in need of instant access to find the right help at the right time,” said Dr. Jodene Baker, Chair, United Way Winnipeg Community Investment Committee.

“This makes it easy for Manitobans and service providers to quickly find the help they need and will prevent people from falling through the cracks,” said Rob Albo, Board Vice-President at Volunteer Manitoba.

Cassandra Golondrina has accessed no less than 10 United Way agency partners for help in her life that has included poverty, abuse, and mental health issues. “I am excited to see this available to connect vulnerable and struggling people with the help they need. There were times in my life when I didn’t know where to turn. A 211 service would have meant a lot less uncertainty and stress for me and my family, and more hope,” said Cassandra, a single mom of five. 211 Manitoba is the “front door” for people like Cassandra and all families in need across Manitoba—particularly the most vulnerable who may not have access to information, advocates, or connections to find services.

United Way of Winnipeg

United Way Winnipeg raises funds in the community in support of an essential network of agencies and programs. This campaign is volunteer-driven, led by a Campaign Cabinet, a volunteer Campaign Chair, and supported by a vast network of community leaders. All donations raised through the Annual Campaign go directly into the community through agencies and programs.

Volunteer Manitoba

Volunteer Manitoba is the leader and catalyst for engaging all Manitobans in volunteerism. Their vital contributions to the community include connecting people with volunteer opportunities, promoting volunteerism, and providing leadership and counsel in the voluntary sector.