KOLD News 13New Information & Referral Directory is out
By Teresa Jun - email
As the unemployment rate continues to increase, so does the call volume at Information and Referral, or I & R. The program, offered by Our Family Services, answers the calls of hundreds of people per day. And call-takers refer callers to a variety of local service agencies that can offer help in a range of areas, including mortgage assistance to food programs.
"It's always been a resource that people have used," said Victor Quiros, program manager with Our Family Services. "And in times like this, I think it becomes an even greater need."
I & R has just published its 2009 Directory of Community Resources. The annual phonebook lists up-to-date contact information for more than 2,600 community service agencies, spanning five southern Arizona counties.
"It's pretty much known as the ultimate source in social services," said Quiros.
The directory not only helps those in the community looking for community assistance information at their fingertips. The sales of the directory also help I & R itself. At $40 per copy, sales of the publications help fund the I & R phone lines.
"It's a little bit more critical this year than it has been in previous years," Quiros said. "With some of our funding cuts this year, and the DES funding that's affected us, the sale of the directory becomes even more important to the viability of the program."
To learn more about Information & Referral, and to order a copy of the Directory of Community Resources, go to:
