About 211 British Columbia
What is 211?
211 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community.
We provide information and referral to a broad range of community, government, and social services that assist with:
- basic needs like food and shelter,
- mental health and addictions support,
- legal and financial assistance,
- support for seniors, and much more.
211 British Columbia is accredited by the Inform USA (formerly AIRS), and meets international standards relating to call response, privacy and confidentiality, and quality and accuracy of resources listed in the database.
Timeline
| 2022 | - BC211 integrates with United Way British Columbia. |
| 2020 | - 211 service became available province-wide. |
| 2017 |
- 211 phone service was expanded to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. |
| 2015 | - 211 text service was added. |
| 2014 | - 211 phone service expanded to the Sunshine Coast Regional District. |
| 2010 | - 211 British Columbia Services Society, operating under the name BC211, was officially launched, serving people in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, and Squamish-Lillooet Regional Districts. |
Origins
To increase positive impact in communities across the province, BC211 will integrate with UWBC on April 1, 2022. This union further strengthens our ability to connect all British Columbians to vital community programs and services for everyday needs and in times of crisis.
BC211 is a Vancouver-based, nonprofit that strengthens communities by connecting people to the help they need. It originated in 1953 as Vancouver’s Community Information Service. In 1958, the first edition of the Directory of Health, Welfare and Recreation Services was published, and later became the Red Book. Published for many years and known as the go-to directory of social services in the Lower Mainland, the Red Book eventually evolved into the 211 online database of resources.
