HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-10-21, Page 8Pace 8 Qoderich'Signal-fir. Atitcittesday, .October 21x2009
United Way 211 s
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signal -star publisher
Huron -Perth United Way is on its way to
launching an important information tool that
will connect thousands of area residents to
non -emergency services in the two counties.
Thanks to a $56,000 grant from the Ontario
Trillium Foundation (OTF) the United Way
announced it will prepare for the implementa-
tion of 211 services in Huron and Perth coun-
ties, a service that will help residents navigate
the complex world of social services and as-
sistance available to those in need.
"I was warden of the county when we im-
plemented the 911 system," Huron -Bruce MP
Carol Mitchell said in presenting the funding
announcement. "This is a milestone to intro-
duce the 211 system to Huron. It's been a long
journey but it's important that people have one
access point to receive help and information.
This is an ambitious project and I congratulate
United Way."
The funding from the Trillium Foundation
will be used to build an accurate and compre-
hensive computer database of human commu-
nity services with a standard service classifica-
tion system for 211.
211 is the three -digit phone number used to
access community information and referral in
the same way as 911 for emergency service
stem a atewa
for social services
Photo by Dominique Milburn
Goderich Mayor, Deb Shewfelt; United Way board chair, Jerry McDonnell; Huron
Warden, Ken Oke; Trillium Foundation chair, Kathleen Pletsch; Huron -Perth United
Way executive director, Ellen Balmain and Huron -Bruce Liberal MP, Carol Mitchell
celebrate a $56,000 Trillium grant for a 211 social -service information line.
and 411 for telephone service. The 211 ser-
vice will provide access to information about
health, community and human services and
should help reduce the number of non -emer-
gency calls to 911. Some areas report that 90
per cent of calls to 911 do not result in the use
of emergency services.
"If something happens, people don't know
who to call or how to navigate the system of
social services," United Way Executive Direc-
tor Ellen Balmain said. "With 211 they can call
from home and get direct help quicker and it's
important in rural areas where transportation
is an issue. It will be a free service staffed by
trained, skilled people."
The first step in the process is to gather data
and the system should be operational in 2010.
Goderich Mayor, Deb Shewfelt, applauded
the efforts of the United Way adding that the
system is a needed one in Huron County.
'This is a system that is much needed be-
cause of our aging population," he said. "It is a
tool that will make it easier for people to get the
help and social service advice they need"
Society is judged on how well it treats the
less fortunate, Warden Ken Oke said adding
that the 211 system will be a real asset in help-
ing the vulnerable in the county.
The foundation was "pleased to support such
a worthwhile goal" Huron -Perth, Grey -Bruce
Trillium Foundation chair, Kathleen Pletsch
said. 'This will benefit all of us, congratula-
tions "
United Way chair, Jerry McDonnell said the
project has been in the works a couple of years
and the local group was able to construct a
business plan based on models of other United
Ways in the province. The United Way of Perth
is the lead agency in the 211 database readiness
project and other collaborative partners were
Huron United Way, Perth County Information
Network and Community Connections (Col-
lingwood).
The Huron Perth United Way will hold its
Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, Oct.
21 at 10:30 am in the Maitland Recreation
Centre.
Twenty Two Degree Energy Corp. and its partner,
American Wind Alliance, "AWA," are now
finalizing the land base and layout for their
150 -MW Wind Energy Project in the former
Goderich Twp., part of Central Huron. AWA was
created by T. Boone Pickens' Mesa Power Group,
www.mesapowergroup.com, to invest in the
development of wind energy projects. Twenty
Two Degree Energy Corp. is a local, experienced
development company with a team that success-
fully developed a 200 -MW wind energy project
just north of Kincardine, which is now owned
and operated by Enbridge. With this ready -to -go
project and our new partner AWA, we now plan
to participate in the recently announced Feed -in -
Tariff (FIT) program, which is part of the Green
Energy Act. We will need to submit our applica-
tions within the next month. As a result, we are
now fully engaged in a number of activities,
including the expansion of our current lease
options on approximately 12,000 acres of land.
We will use both our existing optioned lands
and any new land offered by landowners that's
rated in the area outlined in the accompanying
ap. We are now engaging in discussions with
ditional landowners who are interested in
ing part of our Project.
would like to meet to discuss _
kipation in our project, please
1 our office for more information.
wenty Two Degree Energy Corp.
hood Johnston Dr.,Kincardine
519-396-3540 or 1-877-396-3540