941-HELP filling Crisis Line gap

December 1, 2020

MORRIS — With the closing of Crisis Line of Will & Grundy Counties, the Community Foundation of Grundy County has edited 941-HELP (4357) effective Nov. 30, 2020.

“The phone line for 941-HELP used to ring at Crisis Line during evenings and weekends,” Community Foundation of Grundy County Executive Director Julie Buck said. “We have edited it to instead answer with a greeting where the caller can choose to be transferred immediately to the National Suicide Hotline.”

In addition to the option to transfer to the National Suicide Hotline, callers needing assistance with groceries, rent, utilities and other resources can “Press 2” to leave a voicemail for staff, who will return the call during the next business day.

For those wanting to browse all of the services available throughout Grundy County, residents can use their computers, tablets, or smartphones to research services at 815941HELP.com.

“815941HELP.com was created over 15 years ago through the Foundation’s Workforce Development Committee of our Communityworks Project,” Buck said. “At the time, the Committee felt that Grundy County doesn’t have enough resources. Come to find out, Grundy has resources – but residents didn’t know how to find them when they need them.

“The resulting 941-HELP project started with card racks and kiosks, in addition to the phone and website, but with evolving technology and the popularity of smartphones and tablets, the card racks and kiosks faded away. Now everyone can look for resources 24/7 either by phoning 815-941-4357 (HELP) or by scrolling through 815941help.com.”

If your nonprofit or government agency services are not listed on 815941HELP.com, please “Add a new listing” by clicking the green button at the bottom of the 815941HELP.com page. Service providers can also call or email the Community Foundation of Grundy County at 941-0852 or [email protected].