United Way Invests $50K To Enhance NJ211 Helpline

GALLOWAY, N.J., July 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) will invest $50,000 in New Jersey's non-emergency helpline NJ211 to ensure local residents impacted by layoffs and casino closings make the connection to help.

"We are committed to helping our residents navigate this transition in their lives. Many who have supported the community in the past may find themselves in need of help, and managing the nonprofit and government assistance landscape can be difficult if you are unsure where to begin," said Jim Cawley, UWGPSNJ's president and CEO. "By enhancing our non-emergency helpline NJ211 and uniting agencies in a coordinated approach to help, we are working to ensure more residents meet their needs and have access to more viable, long-term solutions. Together, we drive measurable, lasting Impact that none of us can achieve alone."

The $50,000 investment made through United Way's Impact Fund will fill a critical need as unemployment benefits are exhausted and an estimated 5,500 residents, according to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, seek alternatives. NJ211 will serve as the crucial first call in linking residents to local agencies who are working to coordinate services in order to help more residents. The call specialist will be available over the next 10 months and work exclusively with individuals and families impacted by the casino closures and business layoffs. Additionally, agencies will be focused on serving municipalities surrounding Atlantic City, where approximately 73 percent of laid off workers reside, as reported by Casino Control Commission, Regulatory Affairs Division. 

"We have learned, through several challenges over the past few years, that collaboration really is the key to achieving greater impact," said Alex Marino, Atlantic County Freeholder, Assistant to the Provost for Atlantic City at Stockton University and chair of UWGPSNJ's Local Board. "Through a collective response led by United Way, our goal is to connect residents with services that can offer them a hand up as they plan for their futures. NJ211 is that important first step."  

Residents can also access a comprehensive online resource page at www.nj211.org under recent bulletins. For more information visit www.UnitedForImpact.org/Atlantic.

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties, is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people's lives. United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way is advancing the common good in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey by positively impacting the lives of people throughout the region in the areas of education, income, and health. For more information about United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey visit www.UnitedForImpact.org.

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SOURCE United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey