Welcome everybody to Midday magazine for this March 19th, 2024.
Have your host James Jamail off here and we're welcoming into our studio our
good friend Amy Fluno 211 director with the United Way of Southwood and
Adams counties. Amy, good to have you here. Hi, how are you? It's been our I'm doing
all right. It's been a while. It's good to have you. Yeah. I'm good. Good. Good.
Good to hear. Amy, we appreciate everything that you and your staff do with 211.
How much it helps people. We've had some stats over the years of how vital 211 is
to our communities. How many different people it reaches and all of those stats,
but we have new listeners all the time and new people in the area all the time.
If you don't mind, I'd like to start off just giving an example or
telling people what 211 is so they know the services that are available to them.
Sure. So 211 is a information and referral line. So you just dial the three digits,
just like 911 or 411 or 511. So any of those. So we are information and
referrals. So we have a database full of like we call them like human service listings
and agencies and from county stuff to churches to counseling services. Just everything
under the sun that you can think of places to donate stuff. So it's not always just
if you need help, but it's if you're looking to donate stuff or if you hear about an
event, usually we can kind of find some information on that and help you help you find that
stuff. Yeah, so we have we just did an audit on our database the other day. We have
659 agencies in our database and we serve 13 counties. So that covers a lot. That's
a lot and there's two of us. So it's a lot of work and it's a lot of time and it's a
lot of, you know, connecting with people and getting them services that they need and
connecting with the agencies and making sure that we have the information for the services
that we're that they're providing. Yeah, so I mean, it's a available 24 seven throughout
the whole state actually throughout the whole country, Canada, Puerto Rico. So it's a huge
thing. Huge thing. Yeah. Amy, how do you answer questions about Puerto Rico? No, I'm joking.
I do. I can I can tell you I can transfer you to them. I just had somebody this morning calling
from wanting information in Los Angeles. So I look it up and I transfer them on their way.
Exactly. What I was trying to do there with that joke is set you up for that. No, that's
really interesting. I don't I don't think a lot of us would know that that sometimes you get
those kind of calls. We do and it it's really weird and I I don't know. I mean, we get we get calls
from like the UP because of phone the phone the way the phone systems work is really how that
one is. And then we get like, um, Minnesota calls and, you know, but I've I've probably honestly
in the time that I have done this, I have probably had somebody from almost every state. Yeah,
I guess it's insane. I'm like, how do you get our number? It's it's fascinating. First off,
I, you know, we don't get to do this nearly enough with 211. I want to thank you and your
colleague and your people that work on this and we appreciate it so much and all the heavy
work heavy lifting that you do with this program is vital and really appreciative. You mentioned
how many different resources you have when it comes to people out there that may want their
information to be, you know, with 211. Is there do people usually reach out to you? Do you guys
reach out to people? How does that usually kind of goes both ways? We do have an inclusion policy
that we go. It's a statewide policy since we do statewide work. Um, you know, so it has to
it has to fit into that inclusion policy. Um, but that's definitely something that we can we can
talk about. So if if you are an agency that's looking, you know, if you think you're not in our
database, you know, you can contact me and we can talk about it and we can see if you fit.
Like I said, there is criteria like with anything, you know, we have to make sure that it's
legitimate. We have to make sure that it's going to fit with what our callers are looking for
and all that kind of stuff. So yeah. I'm glad you mentioned this already, Amy, that 211 is certainly
a great resource for a lot of things, but also that that that's so much maybe that the big things.
Sometimes you look, hey, when is recycling in this area? You just moved here. Yep. And a lot of
those questions. That's a resource that we we for a lot of us, it's old school, but to many
people out there, it might even be seemed like new and interesting. Wow. This is really cool.
211. How great. Yeah. You know, we used to, you know, dial zero or we call information or something
back in the day. Now we have 211. Yeah. So that's a great resource to have, but it's also important
for the audience and people out there to know it's not just maybe for the big, big stuff.
Right. Sometimes it's those kind of questions you might have. Yeah. And we get those
interspersed with the big hard questions to, you know, so it's kind of nice to, and we try,
we try our garness to answer questions. I mean, we're not, we're not, you know, perfect. And we
don't know all the answers. And we will tell you straight out if we don't know. And I will tell
you, hey, that's one I've never had before. There are definitely questions I've never had before,
even after years and years and years of doing this. So every day is different. And Amy and her
team will will direct you where they can. Yeah. You know, they're not going to leave you hanging
or anything. They're going to help you out as best as they can. For sure. I mean, we try to work
through it with you. You know, if it's something, if it's a big problem and it's something that you're
a lot of people just want to talk to somebody that is not involved in the situation. And it seems
to be easier to, you know, kind of be a little bit more open and honest with someone who doesn't know
your situation. And is it going to judge you because they, you know, know your past and they know
all, you know, know everything about you. So it's, it can be a little nicer that way. You know,
and there's always questions like, you know, have you tried this? Have you tried that? Where,
you know, what about this or, you know, what did you do last time? And, you know, yeah, I mean,
we're just a different set of ears to listen and different my plot to. So that makes a big difference.
And having that resource and that, that ability for many people out there is so helpful.
Not only when you first moved to an area, but maybe if you're in an area and things change or
something, maybe you moved to a different spot of town as going back to the recycling thing.
Those simple questions. It's so nice to have a resource like this. Also one of the things that,
I know I, I referenced two and one all the time for about is volunteer opportunities. I always want
to make sure that people are aware of that. There's a lot of great ways to put back into your
community and to you kids out there, you seniors that are getting ready for school and college and
everything. Yeah. And there's not many things that look better to a college applications office
than having volunteerism on your resume. Absolutely. Yeah, we do that too. I mean, there's places,
you know, that we can refer you to volunteer, tier work, you know, right in our office. So,
but there's definitely other places all around the area too that can help with volunteer stuff.
You know, yeah, it's a great way to get involved in the community for sure.
And almost every day, there's new opportunities volunteer wise in this area. So
when it comes to you call up one day and maybe you don't hear anything that works with your schedule,
keep calling, keep checking in. There's always new opportunities, new ways for you to put back
into your community. Absolutely. Yeah. Amy, you guys also have a new help guide out. I want to touch
on that. We do. Yeah. So fancy, by the way, it is. It is. It is. It is. So, um, and it's bigger
than it ever has been. So, um, yeah, we do this every year. Um, we apply for a grant through
encourage, um, to pay for the printing, which is always super helpful. So we appreciate that.
But yeah, we updated it this year. So it is, um, active and ready to go for 2024. We have it all
out all over the city, the area. Um, and we added some extra stuff because stuff is getting harder
and it's definitely needed. So what kind of new things did you add down? Um, what kind of new
things do we add? Transportation, um, a little bit more clothing and household stuff. Um,
more mental health and addiction, um, resources, which has been front and center lately. Um,
yeah, more food resources. We've kind of added those like the senior stock boxes. We put on
those, which if you're a senior, those are really great. It's a really great program that you
can call 211 and get registered for. Um, so yeah, we just added a couple of extra spots on here
and, you know, made it a little bit bigger. So, um, another thing we added on here too is there
is a 211 app. Um, that was started in Dane County and, um, we all use it throughout the state.
So you can download it anytime, Apple or, um, Play Store and just use it. It's not as extensive
as like our website or calling us. But if you're, you know, doing something really quick,
it's great. Really user friendly. Um, I've used it a couple times on stuff. So yeah, it's a great,
thing to have on there. We also have like the suicide and crisis lifelines, which are really
important, um, pieces too. So yeah, it's been a really great new look. It's a pretty green.
It is nice. It is a pretty great. And the app is fantastic. I'm glad you mentioned that. It is
really easy to use. Yeah. Very simple to download. Um, and, and it is already been helpful to me.
And I know at least one other person that is downloaded it. I've been, uh, it's been very helpful
for them. Uh, and especially with like you said, they're the quick questions. Yeah. Um,
and I want to see simple because almost it doesn't feel like so in the moment, nothing,
no, single question feels simple. But yeah, some of the more basic stuff. It's really great for
as well. Yeah. And like the app, like we have the app, which is awesome. We also, um, do texting.
So if you, you know, just want to text really quick too, because not everyone wants to talk on
the phone, which is completely understandable. Yeah. You know, life is busy. And sometimes
it's just not your thing. Um, we're also going to start, um, chatting. So doing chatting, um,
we're the only center that does not do that right now in the state. So we're going to add on to
that, um, and see how that works. So that you can get off of our website. You can chat right on
our website. So yeah, that'll be interesting to start that. I imagine, uh, and different for you
and your staff, I imagine that's going to take some getting used to. I'm sure. And I, I wish
you the best with that. But I do, I do admire that, um, not just you, but the United Way in general
is doing that. It is kind of the way a lot of things are going. It is. Yeah. And this speaks to
the heart and really the, the heart of the United Way throughout the country, whenever, wherever
you're finding a United Way. Yeah. But speaking to our local United Way of South Wind and the Amps
counties, uh, any, and the time that I've gotten to work with you and Terry and talk with you guys
seeing the Alice reports, all of this, um, after years and years of doing it, I was prepping for
our interview today. And one of the things that I was excited about was hearing about any changes
with 211 in part because United Way is the pulse of our community. Uh, so often we find out about
things. Hey, this is, this is an issue in our community. And we find out about it because the
United Way knows about it. Yeah. And that's another great thing with 211 too. So, um, we track
on met needs. So when you call and I say, oh, I'm sorry, there really isn't anything like that.
That gets recorded. And then I can bring that up, you know, to other people too, Terry, to anyone
and just say, hey, this is what we're seeing. You know, we're really seeing an influx of these
kind of calls. And, you know, there isn't anything. So we need to do something, you know, this needs
to be brought to attention. This needs to be talked about. It needs to be, you know, discussed with
whoever it needs to be discussed with. And we need to figure something out. And, you know, whether,
whether that happens, you know, it just needs to be brought up. And I think that's one of the
really great things that we can, we can record those on met needs. And then we can also say,
hey, this is what we're really seeing in influx in, you know, just so everybody's aware. These are
our top needs. These are what we're seeing. Everybody calling about, you know, and it does change
a little bit. Like I usually do like a top five. And they, they kind of intersperses themselves,
you know, rearrange every so often. Um, and this stuff is so important in this
today is day and age and everything. These they, um, I would imagine almost every year or two,
we're going to have shifts in this in part because for one, we're doing good work on a lot of
these subjects. And maybe they get better. Yeah. Which is a great, a positive and a win for
everybody in the community. Um, but also that, oh, well, this was never an issue before. Now it is.
Right. And this is why I say the pulse of the community. Because there are, um, there,
there's plenty of opportunity for a nonprofit to say, hey, this is what we have a resource of.
This is what we're going to offer. Right. Even if the community doesn't need it. Yeah.
Whereas the United Way, uh, it is listening to the community is doing surveys and which is why
it's so important for you to fill those surveys out everybody. Yeah. Um, and paying attention to
things like this. Oh, uh, we need to update to on what? Because this is a need now and this is a
need now. And it wasn't a couple of years ago. Yeah. Absolutely. I mean, we are definitely seeing
that with, um, you know, any kind of mental health and addiction services. It's been, it's been a
huge thing. I mean, we have our, um, Wisconsin addiction recovery helpline that we man and,
you know, we update our database on that, you know, continually. And that has been a huge influx
where I would say five years ago, it wasn't even on the radar. Like if what we weren't getting calls
for anything like that. And if it was, it was so few and far between. And now it's, you know,
multiple calls a week. People looking for counseling services, people looking for inpatient
programs for, you know, anything with mental health and addiction services. It's, and those are not
as readily available as they could be. Mm hmm. So that's been a struggle too, which I mean,
that, that really gets to you too when you can't, when there isn't anything. And you're like, well,
you know, they're just, there isn't. And then the people on the other line, they know that,
they're, you know, you're not telling them anything they don't know because they've already
probably gone through some research or done, you know, talk to places or talk to other people and,
you know, know that it's, it is an issue. And it is a very widespread issue throughout the whole
state, not just local. You know, and it's important on a couple of layers here. One, uh, we all live
in bubbles. And there's, there's, there's, even in a small town like this, there could be things
going on. You're like, well, I didn't realize that was a problem. Yeah. So hopefully it creates some
attention and some awareness and some empathy in our community for other issues. Yeah. There's
that part of this. There's also the part that, um, you know, I think you bring up a really strong
point, Amy of, well, this is an issue. You, you run up the flagpole. You tell the, you know,
people about it. And maybe not a lot gets done on it. Maybe not a program gets started that day.
Right. But maybe a year from now, maybe two years from now, that's how every bit of change
starts. Yeah. There was a time not that long ago where there were people with nobody's ever
going to recycle. Nobody's ever going to take the time to do that. Right. Crazy. Yeah. Nobody's
going to go through their garbage and do it. Now we do. We don't even think about it. Yeah.
You know, that's how change works. Yeah. Absolutely. And it starts, uh, often times with
things like this, like calling up to one or answering these surveys in the United Way and a
nonprofit seeing, hey, this is a concern in this community. Great. Yeah. And I love that. I love
that we can, we can do that. Like we can bring things up and just say, you know, this is what we're
seeing. This is what's going on. This is what's happening in the area, whether it's, you know,
just in our area of wood county, whether it's in the other 12 counties that we serve, it really
doesn't matter. I mean, people need the same resources, no matter if they're here or in
Ashland County. Like it, it just doesn't matter. It's the same thing everywhere. So, Amy, uh,
any other, any other notes on 211 before getting to some of the great events you guys are doing?
No, I think we covered pretty well. Okay. Do remember that the new pamphlets are out everybody.
We have some here at the studio. If you want to pick one up and certainly at the United Way
Office. Yeah. If you, if you need some, if we missed you for whatever reason, please feel
free to give us a call and we will have extras that we can give out to you. It is tax time right
around the corner. I want to remind everybody that my free taxes.com is available for you. Hit
me. Sure to check that out at the uswac.org. There's a link. You can click on go right to my free
taxes. Yeah, and it's super easy. I've done it. Yeah, I do it. I've been doing it for about four or
five years now so far. Yeah. And I've reached out to the IRS and they do not know who I am. So I'm
good. That's good. Yeah. It's such an easy thing to be able to use and I cannot recommend it enough
to people out there. If you are, you know, it's a free service and it encourage you to find out if
you can use it or not. Yeah. Amy, I also wanted to make sure to touch on a couple of other big events
that you guys have coming up. One of them, it seems to get bigger and bigger every year.
The community shred day. Yeah. So that is happening on Wednesday, April 10th from 9 to 11
at prevailed bank. Yes, prevailed bank parking lot. Yeah. Yeah. So that's just one you can bring all
of your sensitive documents. So tax return, you know, any of that kind of stuff that's, you know,
old enough to get rid of, don't get rid of important stuff. But any, you know, old stuff,
old bank statements, canceled checks, anything like that. You just put them in a box, you pop on
over and then we get money for that. So yeah, it's really great partnership. It's a safe and
trustworthy way of getting rid of your documents in a day and age where that's never meant more.
Right. For sure. Yeah. Identity theft is huge. So this is a good way to protect yourself.
And then, you know, just for a $5 donation to be able to do this, you're also knowing that
only your is your information safe, but you're putting back into your community because that $5
goes a long way for the United Way. Right. Absolutely. Yeah. So it's $5 donation. I mean,
if you can, if not, it's okay too. But yeah, I mean, any any sensitive documents that you need
to get rid of, you know, is always better than thrown just thrown away. Yeah. Always safer.
Community Shred Day coming up April 10th from 9 to 11 over at Proveil Bank Parking Lab. We'll
talk more about this as we get closer to it. I did want to mention the book drive going on as well,
Amy. Yeah. I was a little hesitant on this one because I'm the one that deals with all the books
and we we do have a ton of them. But we are always super short on baby boardbooks and easy readers.
So that is what we are asking for this time around. Storybooks are always great and chapter books
are always great, but we honestly, we have a lot of them. And then we need to get those out to the
community. So if you have kids that are getting out of the boardbooks and the easy readers,
I will take them off your hands. So anytime between April 1st and April 26th, you can bring them
to the office. If you have a huge amount of them, you can always call us and make sure that
we're, you know, we're always there. But, you know, anyway, yeah. So between and so the month of April,
so really, really, really boardbooks and easy readers because those like this year, we have added
going to building blocks and they're big agencies. So they have a lot of kids. So, you know,
we try to have enough books for everybody and that's going to be one of our first stops. So they
could wipe us out pretty quickly with what we have. So adding to that inventory of the baby books
and the easy readers would be great. So if you have those, I like I said, I will take them off
your hands all day, every day. So please do reach out to the United Way find out a good time to be
able to drop those off. We really appreciate you being able to do that. You're investing in our
future with us. You're helping kids read better. It goes a long ways. Reading is a huge. I
for 2024, I'm a huge reader and for 2024, I have decided that I am going to write down every book
that I read and I'm on my 20th book for the year. Right on. Way to be. Nice job. I know. I never know
how many books I read. I read a ton. A ton. And then I'm like, did I read this already? And so I
decided I'm going to write down everything. So I'm on my 20th book. I think that's a good note for
people at that. I'm going to tell my mom that was she was like, you're sure it's like crazy. I
think that's a good idea. It's good. Amy, as we're wrapping up, I want to take the time to talk
about the 12th annual United Weekend Food Sculpture Contest coming up. I can't believe it's already
coming up. That's just surprised me when I looked at it. I don't know what is happening to this.
It's in the types of flat circle. This is one of our favorite events, not only because we get to
work with the rafters and being have them involved with so much of the community gets involved
in our great local businesses and nonprofits. Yeah. So I think Ben is still looking for some
teams. So you can register with him. You can call him or shoot him an email.
Maybe register by May 1st. And it is on Tuesday, June 18th, which sounds like a ways away,
but it's really not. Yeah. So we collect food donations, build sculptures,
and then we donate all the items, which is great. I mean, thousands and thousands of pounds of
food a year. It's amazing. It's incredible. I don't know. Well, the United Way does an amazing
job of keeping stats and data. I don't know how you'd ever be able to collect how many people
have been impacted by United Weekend. It's huge. It's got to be an incredible number. And it's
an incredibly humbling thing to be a part of. If you're at the ballpark, you're able to bring
a non-perishable food item or if you're a business or a nonprofit out there, and you want to show
your creativity and have some fun at the same time. This is a great opportunity. For sure.
And you mentioned Ben, is that who they should reach out to if they want to make it? Yeah, Ben's in
charge of it. So, you know, you can always shoot him an email. You can call him at the office. He
will gladly talk you through it and see what you need to do. Amy, if people have followed questions
and they want to get a hold of you, just call 2-1 or I'm just kidding. It is true, though. For sure.
I mean, I answer the phone in the morning. So, you know, do a curgey to do that. And for
anything else that you're curious about with the other things that we've covered today,
encourage you to go to uswac.org. It's uswac.org. Be sure to follow the United Way on social media.
It's a great way to keep up the date on things going on in your community and with our United Way.
Amy, say hi to everybody over there for us. I will. Thank you very much, James.
Really good to see you. Thanks for being by. Yeah, you too. We'll take a time out here.
And we'll have more tomorrow for more more midday magazine for you tomorrow right here at WFHR.
