TeenHealthFX - Answers - July 2008: How Can I Find Out What Resources Are In My Community?

Resource Of The Month / Question
Published: June 24, 2009

Dear TeenHealthFX,

Where can I go to find out what agencies and programs exist in my neighborhood?

Signed: July 2008: How Can I Find Out What Resources Are In My Community?

Dear July 2008: How Can I Find Out What Resources Are In My Community?,

First Call For Help: An organization for residents of northern New Jersey that offers confidential telephone services in order to provide support for people in crisis and referrals to pertinent community organizations. To contact, dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-HELP-555, or visit their website.

Sometimes people find themselves in a crisis situation or in need of specific kinds of health and human services – but they do not know where to turn or who to go to for help. First Call For Help was founded in 1982 by the United Way of Morris County to help those who didn’t know where to go for assistance with the goal of linking people up with the organizations that would best suit their needs. Through the years, First Call For Help has expanded to include a 2-1-1 number for people to call, and to offer services for an increased number of counties in northern New Jersey, which now includes Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Union.

This organization can connect families and individuals to things such as financial assistance, emergency food assistance and shelter, affordable housing, abuse/neglect, child care, disability, education, emergencies, employment, health/medical care, mental health, special transportation needs, substance abuse treatment and prevention services. Their services are available to anyone living in northern New Jersey regardless of socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical ability, or language.

To reach First Call For Help, dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-HELP-555. To learn more about this agency and the services they provide, you can also visit them online.

First Call For Help is available in some cities and states outside of northern New Jersey. To determine whether or not First Call For Help Services are available near you, search online with the name of your city or state and the words “First Call For Help.”

Signed: TeenHealthFX