Referral system will get help to needy

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
July 20, 2003
The United Way of East Mississippi, and a group of community partners, will unveil a new health and human services referral service Thursday.
The kick-off of "First Call for Help" is set for 10 a.m. at Kahlmus Auditorium at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus.
It will include a live demonstration of the new Web site.
The site, firstcallforhelpmeridian.org, will go live on Thursday. A local telephone number also has been established to provide information on services, 693-1211.
Louis Sutton, president and chief professional officer of the local United Way, said the project is designed to better connect needy people with available resources.
The project began on a local level with efforts by a Leadership Lauderdale class. Leslie York, safety manager of the Boeing Co., and a member of that class, said the system will serve two audiences.