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Written by Hambaba
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Saturday, 28 July 2007 |
I took a short course on City Government at UC Berkeley recently and we had to
create an individual research proposal that we felt would better the city. If
you've ever visited Berkeley you've probably seen a lot of homeless people and
you might question as why such a problem exist. A "light bulb!" and "Aha!" later
I visited homeless shelters and spoke to staff and volunteers there asking them
the crux of the matter as to why people are homeless. After sifting through
various areas within the realm of homelessness I came upon homeless
communication. I know it sounds crazy, why do you think I'm putting this out?
Now imagine yourself without a phone, just for a day? For most people like us
you probably couldn't do without one because like everyone else, all your peeps
and loved ones, of course, call you on it and that is how you stay in touch.
Most homeless folks don't have their own phones so they have to resort to using
public pay phones, shelter phones, or some other means to call someone. It is
quite difficult for the homeless to stay connected with world because of their
circumstances. A problem that now has a solution.
For example, the service offered by
GrandCentral,
Offers the ability to have one number call all the numbers on your list. Another
great feature is the ability to have your voice mail box online reducing the
need for a cell phone altogether. Basically, this service can be used without
even owning a phone but you can still receive the benefits with a cellphone
service without any voice mail features. If you don't think it's great, think
again. Google
acquired the company in June of 2007. Yeah Google's behind it.
GrandCentral already saw the potential for services in social work and started
Project
CARE (Communications and Respect for Everybody), with the company's
commitment "to helping those in need stay connected by offering individuals a
local phone number and voicemail box for life". The project has benefited the
unfortunate in San Francisco by offering the service for free to individuals who
fit the bill. Business with a socially conscious mind, that's more like it!
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