[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 81 (Thursday, May 12, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE PA 211 NORTHEAST/HELP LINE FOR 50 YEARS OF 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2022

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor the PA 211 Northeast/
Help Line for 50 years of service to Northeastern Pennsylvania in 
partnership with the Family Service Association. For the past five 
decades, the Help Line has been a source for anyone seeking referrals 
to social service and support agencies or information in Northeastern 
Pennsylvania. This occasion will be marked with a Spring Fling and 
Auction celebration on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at the Westmoreland Club 
in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
  In 1972, Hurricane Agnes and the resulting flood devastated the 
region, causing billions of dollars of damage and leaving citizens in 
need of food, shelter, and other necessities. In response to this 
tragedy, the Wilkes-Barre City Demonstration Agency, the Department of 
Public Welfare, and the Wyoming Valley United Fund all came together to 
establish and provide financial support for the Wilkes-Barre 
Information System, later renamed PA 211 Help Line, to provide vital 
information for the survivors of this disaster. They chose Family 
Service Association to operate the service. During the first year, 
3,000 calls were answered regarding food, utility information, and 
transport services as the region slowly recovered from the flood.
  In 1975, after entering into agreements with several area agencies, 
the Help Line became a twenty-four-hour crisis hotline. Soon after, 
additional agencies signed on, and Help Line was now the crisis center 
for most Wyoming Valley social service agencies.
  While continuing to provide information and referrals, Help Line has 
also become a place to call when an individual needs someone to listen 
to them, and a team of crisis caseworkers is able to provide support 
and referrals to additional services as needed. In 2011, Help Line, now 
operating under its current name, grew beyond an active listing of 
local agencies to include regional, state, and national resources
  Since 1972, Help Line has answered more than 3.1 million calls from 
its 17-county coverage area and beyond. The team has responded to 
numerous disasters over the years such as the blizzard of 1993, the 
September 11th terrorist attacks, and more recently the COVID-19 
pandemic. Today, Help Line continues to grow and thrive. With one phone 
number, callers can freely obtain resources on how to access thousands 
of programs and services aiming to improve the quality of their lives.
  I am honored to congratulate the Family Service Association and PA 
211 Northeast/Help Line for 50 years of steadfast dedication to 
supporting the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania. I wish them great 
success in the future as they continue to provide essential services to 
those who need it most.

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