WATERVILLE, ME, 2/25/2021 –
211 Maine, a statewide initiative providing access to health and human services, has announced the relocation of its management office to 50 Elm Street in Waterville after the sale of the United Way building at 150 Kennedy Memorial Drive. The new office is co-located with the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, Central Maine Growth Council, Maine Technology Institute (MTI), and Coastal Enterprise Institute’s (CEI) Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
An initiative of the United Way of Mid-Maine, 211 Maine is a free and confidential community resource that helps individuals find local assistance. Established in 2006, 211 Maine is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing information and referrals to an array of services, including supplemental food and nutrition programs, employment and education opportunities, health care, vaccination and health epidemic information, substance use disorder prevention and recovery programs, and much more.
Nikki Busmanis, 211 Maine’s program manager, is responsible for overseeing statewide programs. Busmanis’ efforts to improve access to 211’s wide range of offerings have proven beneficial, especially to individuals seeking online assistance. Nikki has continued to strengthen access to services and streamline the user’s search experience within the 211 Maine online platform, making it easier for those in need to find and connect with health and human services providers across the state.
“211’s downtown relocation into 50 Elm Street has created a hub for advancing human capital, with a plethora of diverse business development and community service offerings,” articulates Kimberly Lindlof, president and CEO of the Mid-Maine Chamber and executive director of the Central Maine Growth Council. “Between the five organizations, businesses and individuals alike can be connected to a versatile range of resources, including site location identification, business plan development, funding and capital opportunities, marketing and networking, and more.”
211 Maine’s work to assist families and Maine communities around the clock has proven invaluable, given the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic. Credited as being the resource where people go when they don’t know where else to go, 211 Maine began as part of the national movement designed to centralize and simplify access to health and human service information and resources with an easy-to-remember universal phone number and website for non-emergency help.
“Mid-Maine is a special place to me, as I’ve not only worked here for four years but live here with my family,” shares Nikki Busmanis. “By keeping my office located in mid-Maine, I have the opportunity to continue my involvement in local community efforts while overseeing this statewide program.”
About 211:
211 Maine is a free resource providing an easy confidential way to connect people to information about thousands of health and human services around Maine. 211 Maine is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone, text and online. People can access information and resources in their area by dialing 211 and talking with a trained and friendly specialist, by texting their zip code to 898-211, or by searching the online directory at www.211maine.org. 211 Maine is a collaborative effort of the United Ways of Maine, the State of Maine, and The Opportunity Alliance as the Contact Center Partner.
Last modified: February 25, 2021