You can call 211 — yes, dial only those three numbers — for free, confidential information and referrals to human service agencies in the Rochester/Finger Lakes region.

Trained specialists at the ABVI-Goodwill call center answer the phones 24 hours a day and can help you find agencies that provide food to the hungry, care for people with eating disorders, drug and alcohol treatment, counseling and more.

Or you can look up information on the service’s Web site, www.211fingerlakes.org. Click on health and environmental services, for example, and you’ll see listings for alternative health care, assistive technology, HIV/AIDS, home health care, sex education and much more.

The 211 line opened locally in January 2005.

– americanchronicle.com