VISION-Provide all individuals and organizations within the community with human service information that is delivered in a manner, which meets their personal and collective needs.

MISSION-To utilize our expertise as the primary agency that efficiently collects, professionally manages and effectively disseminates human service information for the benefit of the community and its members.

Description:
Central Referral Service/2-1-1WNY is a private non-profit organization that maintains a series of databases that include services offered by government and non-profit organizations and support groups in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Wyoming counties.
CRS has information on over 3,000 organizations offering over 12,000 services listed collectively in the databases. This is one of the largest human service databases in the county. CRS offers its services to professionals to help them locate services for their clients, patients, as well as the general public via a free confidential telephone service and internet site.

History:
Central Referral Service(CRS/2-1-1WNY was developed in response to a serious and continuing unmet need in Erie County for information and referral. This need was discovered in a household study conducted by the SUNY at Buffalo School of Management and coordinated by the Junior League of Buffalo. The study found that despite the fact that services do exist, 80% of those surveyed did not know where to turn for help. The simple fact is that health and human service providers do not have the money to adequately publicize their services.
As a result of the need identified in the survey, 14 major health and human service providers were brought together by the Junior League charged with the task of developing a response. It was decided a well publicized, computer driven system with an up-to-date database was the best method of linking people in need to providers that served the community. Thus, Central Referral Service, Inc. was created in 1985 and went on line in 1986.

Contact people:

Tammy Wnuk, Information And Referral Administrator, (phone), (email) I. Khan, Trainer, (phone), (email)

Address:

45 Elm Street Buffalo, NY 14203 (See a map)

Directions:

Central Referral Service, Inc. is housed, along with 9-1-1, in the Erie County Public Safety Campus.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Church Station,   Walk distance (in minutes): 7   Nearest Bus Stop: Washington & North Division: 6 Sycamore, 24 Genesee, 8 Main, 14 Abbott, 20 Elmwood, 5 minute walk

Overall Experience   
Amazing organization!

This is a great organization to volunteer for. The staff is amazing, the workplace is wonderful. posted by s_lasher on August 25, 2008