Heart of Texas 211

Heart of Texas 211 2-1-1 is a free confidential information and referral service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dial 2-1-1!

Area Information Center (211)

211 Texas

Heart of Texas 211 is a “free” social service helpline answered by trained specialists who assist callers with their social service needs and refer them to the service providers or agencies that can best assist them. The helpline is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by Information-Referral Specialists. Multi-lingual language assistance (Language Line)

is available, if needed, for any caller speaking a foreign language. Our 211 staff provides assistance and information to callers concerning food, clothing, shelter, utility bill payment assistance, medical assistance, affordable childcare, eldercare, disaster relief, etc. Individuals in need simply call “211” on their telephone from anywhere in the State of Texas and the call is routed to the nearest available Area Information Centers (AIC) where the call is answered. There is no charge or fee for calling 211. Texas Information and Referral Network (TIRN) fills a substantial role in the Texas Homeland Security Strategic Plan and is part of a national initiative to provide information about health and human services to all callers regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, disability, or any other criteria. The TIRN network has assumed increased visibility and importance because of its effectiveness and success in dealing with hurricanes and natural disasters. TIRN is the backbone for information distribution throughout the state during times of emergency and natural disasters including floods, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and tornadoes. With each disaster, the 211 state network of local 211’s immediately begins to feel the impact of the disaster with thousands of frantic callers asking for evacuation assistance, shelters, food, supplies, or simply information related to the disaster.

211 takes between 30,000 and 45,000 calls per year and is on track to take more than 60,000 calls for 2021. The 211 is one (1) of twenty-five (25) Area Information Centers designated by the Texas Information and Referral Network (TIRN). Staff includes:

Amy Rossow – Manager

Marcy Whiddon – Information & Referral/Community Database Specialist

Belinda Arocha – Information & Referral Specialist

Joanna Whitehouse – Information & Referral Specialist

06/06/2026
05/29/2026

🎒 Our Back to School Supply Drive is officially underway!

We’re working to help students in La Vega ISD and Connally ISD start the school year prepared and confident, and we’d love for you to be part of it.

Check out the flyer for the full list of needed supplies, drop-off locations, and how you can get involved.

Every item donated makes a difference. 💙

05/29/2026

♻️❗️The FREE Community Shred Event is happening THIS SATURDAY❗️♻️

HOT Shred is teaming up with the West Chamber of Commerce to host a FREE community document shred event on Saturday, May 30th from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Pointwest Bank.
📍 200 W Oak Street

Bring a box of your old documents that you want shredded and Heart of Texas Shred will shred them for FREE! 📑 ♻️

Thank you Heart of Texas Shred for being a Chamber member and for providing this great event for the community! 😀

05/27/2026

When school lets out, hunger doesn’t take a summer break.

Beginning June 1 and all summer long, we are working together with community partners throughout Central Texas to help provide meals for children ages 1-18.

Simply show up to any listed site for a prepared meal; or if you live in a rural area, look for our locations where you can get a box for each child containing a 10 day supply of meals. No ID or registration is required.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Find meal locations and learn more: https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/free-summer-meals-kids-teens

Cuando terminan las clases, el hambre no se toma vacaciones de verano.

A partir del 1 de junio y durante todo el verano, estamos trabajando junto con socios comunitarios en toda la región central de Texas para ayudar a proporcionar comidas a niños y jóvenes de 1 a 18 años.

Simplemente acérquese a cualquiera de los sitios indicados para recibir una comida preparada; o, si vive en una zona rural, busque nuestras ubicaciones donde podrá obtener una caja para cada niño que contiene un suministro de comidas para 10 días. No se requiere identificación ni registro.

Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

Encuentre los lugares de distribución de comidas y obtenga más información en: https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/free-summer-meals-kids-teens

05/21/2026

After years of dedicated service to the Heart of Texas region, Joanna Whitehouse will be stepping into an exciting new opportunity with the State of Texas Information and Referral Network (TIRN) HHSC effective June 5, 2026.

In her new statewide role, Joanna will continue supporting Texas 2-1-1 programs through resource network development, statewide collaboration, and information & referral services across all Texas Area Information Centers.

While we will absolutely miss her at Heart of Texas 2-1-1, we are incredibly proud and excited to see her continue this important work on a statewide level. Joanna has been a huge part of strengthening community partnerships, improving resource connections, supporting outreach efforts, and helping serve communities across Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan counties.

This is not goodbye — just a new chapter!

As part of this transition, Marcy Whiddon will be returning to the Resource Management role effective June 1, 2026. Please begin including Marcy on all communication related to resource information, outreach events, partnerships, and distribution lists moving forward.

📌 Marcy Whiddon
📞 254-292-1886
📧 [email protected]

Please join us in congratulating Joanna on this exciting opportunity and thanking her for the passion, dedication, and heart she has brought to Heart of Texas 2-1-1 over the years. We can’t wait to see all the amazing things ahead!

05/21/2026

Thank you 6 News KCEN TV for sharing about our partnership with Greater Waco Legal Services

Waco Family Medicine's collaboration with Greater Waco Legal Services launched in 2017 to help address the non-medical factors that impact health, such as housing instability, access to public benefits, family legal issues, and immigration concerns.

We are extremely grateful to receive this grant from the Texas Bar Foundation. We are excited to use this investment to offer further help to our patients in resolving legal barriers that may be impacting their health.

Read the full article here: https://birdeye.cx/9p8gfh

05/20/2026
05/19/2026

This week at the Woodway Family Center:

We invite you to join us for a special presentation on Lady Bird Deeds and Transfer on Death Deeds this coming Thursday, May 21st, at 10:30 AM at the Woodway Family Center. Learn how these impactful planning tools work and how they can help avoid probate and Medicaid Estate Recovery.

As a reminder, the Woodway Family Center does require registration to attend their events, and participants are now required to create an account upon arrival. If you do not already have an account, please plan to arrive a few minutes early and bring your ID with you!

We look forward to seeing you there!

05/18/2026

No Cost. No Sign-Up. Just Show Up. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Address

1514 South New Road
Waco, TX
76711

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