When Disaster Strikes

Our beautiful state was devastated this past year with disasters that left our neighbors recovering, rebuilding, and often reeling from the stress of it all. The Helpline Center is committed to providing critical support and connections to communities after a disaster. Our response happens by providing hope and support through our 211 Call Center and by coordinating and deploying volunteers through our Volunteer Connections program.

In late March and again in September, many homes in South Dakota were flooded as a result of severe weather conditions. Area residents were encouraged to call 211 as the centralized number for anyone who needed help, and for individuals and groups that wanted to volunteer in their community.  Our professionally trained staff answered more than 4,000 calls, and we dispatched nearly 3,800 volunteers.

We received countless calls from homeowners expressing their deepest gratitude. One homeowner reached out and said, “211 Helpline volunteers are miracle workers! They are like the army national guard. My neighbors and I were overwhelmed after 2 days of cleanup and very little sleep. These people were angels for sure. So much help at a time when it was very much needed and appreciated. It was much needed emotional support as well as knowing we were not alone in this disaster.”

We believe everyone deserves help when they need answers to simple questions, community connections or hope during difficult times.  We’re committed to being a leader in our state for suicide prevention and response, offering support and referrals through 211, and being the critical link between community volunteers and the nonprofits who need them.