Every day, hundreds of Alameda County residents pick up the phone, or send a text, not knowing where else to turn. On the other end is Alameda County’s 211 team: a network of staff, database specialists, and community partners working to connect people with housing, food, healthcare, legal aid, and support in moments of crisis.

In this video, hear directly from the people who make that connection possible. Executive Director Jazmyn Brown and the 211 team share what it takes to keep the county’s largest resource database current and accessible, including for callers who need help in different languages or outside of business hours. Community partners like East Oakland Youth Development Center and Love Never Fails add their perspective on what it means when a family in crisis finally reaches someone who can help.

From tenants at risk of losing their homes to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, 2-1-1 is often the first step toward stability.

Watch to see why, for so many across the county, help really does start here.