Raising awareness of 211 and how it helps people

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) —February 11, numerically becomes 211, which is also the number for the Helpline Center.

This year, the Helpline Center is celebrating 211 day, to recognize all it does for South Dakotans, and the importance of the resource.

McCook Lake bill advances with $1 to allow discussion

The Helpline Center has been helping people since 1974, and the 211 number has been a statewide resource for the past 5 years.

“We take calls, emails and text messages. We’re open 24/7, 365 to anyone that needs any kind of resource,” 211 Manager, Kylee Wilmarth said.

The helpline connects people across South Dakota with resources in their area.

“People are calling us with concerns about housing and food utility assistance. Oftentimes, they’re looking for other kinds of support to get them through difficult times,” CEO, Helpline Center, Janet Kittams said.

The people answering these calls for help or assistance are all professionally trained and made a big difference in people’s lives in 2024.

“Just with 211 was over 60,000 calls that we answered across the state of South Dakota. So lots of help being provided,” Kittams said.

The staff at the Helpline Center want people to know that they are there to help.

“We just want to, you know, ensure everyone in our community, the state as a whole, is supported and getting connected to resources that meet their needs,” Wilmarth said.

“I think people across the state are struggling. And so that’s what 211 is all about, not only to provide those resources, to provide that sense of connection and support from a real human who cares and is compassionate,” Kittams said.

In those 60,000 calls, over 100,000 needs were identified.