BC211 provide information and referral to a broad range of community, government, and social services that assist with: basic needs like food and shelter, mental health and addictions support, legal and financial assistance, support for seniors, and much more.
To increase positive impact in communities across the province, BC211 will integrate with UWBC on April 1, 2022. This union further strengthens our ability to connect all British Columbians to vital community programs and services for everyday needs and in times of crisis.
211 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community
BC211 is a Vancouver-based, nonprofit that strengthens communities by connecting people to the help they need. It originated in 1953 as Vancouver’s Community Information Service. In 1958, the first edition of the Directory of Health, Welfare and Recreation Services was published, and later became the Red Book. Published for many years and known as the go-to directory of social services in the Lower Mainland, the Red Book eventually evolved into the 211 online database of resources.
211 British Columbia is accredited by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS), and meets international standards relating to call response, privacy and confidentiality, and quality and accuracy of resources listed in the database.