United Way of Horry County (UWHC) has partnered with the City of Myrtle Beach to install four emergency phones throughout various locations in downtown Myrtle Beach. These phones will allow residents and visitors to call two numbers at any time, 9-1-1 for emergency services and 2-1-1 for information services.
UWHC 211 Resource Helpline is available 365 days per year, 24 hours per day, and 7 days per week by simply dialing 2-1-1 on any phone. The caller is immediately connected to a licensed trained counselor in SC who will connect the caller to resources including housing and utility assistance, food resources, employment opportunities, health services, educational programs, and more. Various partners were able to bring these phones into service including; TIPs providing the equipment, True Blue Computers providing the programming, HTC and City of Myrtle Beach providing installation, Myrtle Beach Showcase providing the board, and UWHC funding the phone lines.
“We felt it was important that everyone in our area have access to emergency and basic needs services at any given time. By having these phones located in some of our most trafficked areas, we are working to ensure that access to these resources are available for all community members and visitors,” states City of Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock.
UWHC President & CEO Blakely Roof says, “It was mentioned at a meeting about having these emergency phones like they do at college campuses, but also including access to call 211. It was a brilliant idea considering over 25% of our calls to 211 come from zip code 29577. In 2021, Horry County provided over 5,600 referrals through 211, so we are so excited that more people will be able to utilize this service than ever before!”
They are currently up and operating at Plyer Park and 2nd Ave. N. Pier and two additional locations are forthcoming. UWHC 211 is sponsored through a grant from Bank of America Foundation and Sisters of Charity.
For more information on 211 or the emergency phones contact Heather Downing at Heather@unitedwayhorry.org.
