EVERETT — Volunteers of America Western Washington is launching a new local resource navigation service once Snohomish County’s 211 helpline moves to a statewide call center based in Seattle at the start of the new year, a press release said.
VOAWW Connect will launch Jan. 2 and connect residents in Snohomish and Skagit counties to food, housing, transportation, behavioral health and other essential resources. It can be accessed by the new local number, 360-VOA-HELP (360-862-4357), or the existing toll-free number, 800-223-8145.
Since 2006, Volunteers of America Western Washington operated the North Sound region of the Washington 211 helpline. However, the Washington state 2025-27 biennium budget reduced Washington 211’s funding by 66%, which spurred the consolidation of the helpline’s seven regions, interim Executive Director Amanda Madorno told the Herald in September.
“A lot of nonprofits have to look at how to do business differently, how to be smarter about it, how to get more efficient, how to streamline, in order to take care of the customers out there who we think are going to need us more than ever,” she said at the time.
Previously, a release announced the reorganization would take place Oct. 1. Shortly after the announcement, Washington 211 asked Volunteers of America Western Washington if it could continue operating North Sound 211 through the end of 2025, VOAWW Connect Director Amanda Etchey said in an email.
In January, the statewide call center will be operated by Crisis Connections, a Seattle-based nonprofit that managed the King County 211 service since 2006. Washington 211 will continue to provide broad access to resources while partnering with Volunteers of America Western Washington and referring calls as needed.
“By keeping these services local, we can respond faster, build stronger community partnerships, and provide support that goes beyond information and referral,” VOAWW Connect Director Amanda Etchey said in the release. “Our team is deeply connected to the communities we serve, and this evolution ensures that every individual seeking help is met with compassion, respect, and expertise.”
Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com; X: @BTayOkay
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