Hot line can help in rural-to-urban transition

ALEX DEMARBAN
alex@alaskanewspapers.com

November 26, 2008 at 2:08PM AKST

You recently left rural Alaska and need help in the big city?

Dial 211.

A human being will answer questions about medical options, child care, housing assistance, food pantries, and a ton of other services you might need.          

Officials who are eyeing the rural-to-urban exodus are touting the statewide hot line as one way formerly rural residents can adjust to Anchorage’s bustle — or get help if things take a turn for the worse. 

The resource line, created by United Way of Anchorage, could prove valuable.

The Anchorage School District saw Native enrollment surge by an unexpected 500 students this year, and some of them recently left rural Alaska with their families, said Doreen Brown, Indian Education supervisor for the Anchorage School District.

The migration has been occurring for years as people move to cities in search of better job prospects, more educational opportunities and broader medical services. But the trend has accelerated this year, just as the rural energy crisis increased the cost of village life sharply.  

The 211 hot line, started last year, is a statewide resource found in other parts of the nation.

It provides information about services in other Alaska communities as well as Anchorage, and was not created to help with the population shift, said Sandy McClintock, United Way’s director of marketing and communications.

 “It’s a great tool for anyone looking for help,” she said.

The Anchorage mayor’s office is telling people who have moved from rural Alaska about the service, said Diane DiSanto, community development specialist. The city includes the information on pamphlets it distributes. 

“Housing is like the biggest problem for people moving here, but 211 can give them some ideas,” she said. “If they’re Alaska Native, they can also go to Cook Inlet Housing Authority.”

 Hot line operators are available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday. The calls are confidential.

Operators are also available at 800-478-2221. After hours, information can be found at www.alaska211.org. 

Other help for new families with students includes a family evening program held Tuesdays and Thursdays at Spring Hill Elementary School in South Anchorage, Brown said.

The program, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and sponsored by the Indian Education program, includes homework assistance, instruction in Yup’ik, Unangan, Tlingit and Dena’ina Athabascan and cultural support that includes traditional dancing and arts and crafts.

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Alex DeMarban can be reached at 907-348-2444 or 800-770-9830, ext. 444.