February 11 is 211 day across North America and Windsor's branch is asking its residents to make the call in order to learn more about the services it has to offer.
Jennifer Tanner, project manager for Southwestern Ontario, says it's Windsor's best kept secret.
"There is an international effort to bring recognition to the service on this day, and we've picked February 11 because it is the second month and 11th day, so this kind of ties in with our number," says Tanner.
The 211 service aims to reduce non-life threatening calls to 911 by providing residents with information on services such as food banks, housing, employment, and mental health concerns. The line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"There is over 8,000 services listed in our data based, and it is impossible for people to remember all of them," says Tanner. "So it's important for residents to pick up the phone and take advantage off what our services have to offer."
Windsor's phone line has been up since late 2007 and averages 30,000 calls per year.
"When people don't know where to turn, 211 is there for them," says Tanner.
