Officials gathered in Framingham to recognize the resources provided statewide through the 24-hour hotline service.
FRAMINGHAM - Mass211 Day was recognized during an event at the United Way of Tri-County’s headquarters in Framingham on Tuesday, February 11.
Local and state officials—including Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and State Representatives for the city Priscila Sousa and Jack Patrick Lewis—gathered at the organization’s offices along Park Street to commemorate Mass211, the statewide hotline service that connects residents with non-emergency health and human services. The Mass211 team provides details on food banks and shelter locations, support for seniors and families, information on government benefits, and more. Callers can dial 2-1-1 on their phone to be patched through to an operator.
The United Way staffs the 24-hour operation, which received over 483,000 calls in 2024.
“We’re very lucky that we’ve had tremendous support…It’s a big deal for us to be able to help when the need is there, and that’s all the time—24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Mass211 Executive Director and President and CEO of the United Way of Tri-County Paul Mina told attendees on Wednesday.
About 117,000 of those 2-1-1 calls last year were received by the Call2Talk team. Founded by the United Way in 2014, Call2Talk is a mental and emotional health resource that can be also accessed by dialing 9-8-8. An official National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Center, Call2Talk provides callers in crisis with an outlet to speak with someone who can help.
Mass211 Vice President and Call2Talk Director Eileen Davis praised operators for their ability to answer calls through a “compassionate, nonjudgemental, empathetic” process.
“Day in and day out, our Mass211 and Call2Talk team connects and supports callers in ways that will enhance their lives,” Davis continued, “while allowing them to feel heard and validated.”
Sousa and Lewis presented the Mass211 team with a citation from Governor Maura Healey declaring February 11 as the aptly-named Mass211 Day in Massachusetts.
For more details on Mass211, click here. Additional information on Call2Talk can be found by clicking here.
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State Senate President Karen Spilka joined the city’s four state representatives virtually on Tuesday for their annual meeting with local legislators.
This week on The Frame: a variety of concerns are raised regarding the planned closure of Framingham Union Hospital’s special care nursery, the City Council is set to hear about seven projects recommended to receive money through the Community Preservation Act, and a spotlight on a pair of recent local events: the Hands Off rally and a celebration of the local Fire Department’s history.
Tenet Healthcare is planning on reducing the maternity ward at MetroWest Medical Center. Local politicians, nurses, and residents raised a plethora of concerns during a public hearing at the Memorial Building.
