I’d like to create a database to match the needs of the homeless in Wake County with the talents of citizens willing to give them a hand up. Since I’m not a programmer, I’ll need to find a non-techie way to build it or find someone willing to help me out.
My sense is there are many people who would like to help but they don’t have unlimited time and resources. They also want to be part of something bigger so their small contribution makes a real difference.
My conversations with social workers, nonprofit leaders, and most importantly, the homeless in our area will inform this seed of an idea and test its viability. Here are some use cases I’ve been brainstorming:
- Chronically homeless woman needs substance abuse counseling. A psychiatrist with experience in that area agrees to provide free services for one patient. We have a match!
- Child of a homeless couple needs dental work done. A dentist agrees to do the work pro-bono. We have a match!
- Man who has been clean and sober for 2 months needs a mentor who can help him find a job. A student at NCSU offers to mentor one person. We have a match!
- Woman needs day care for her two-year old daughter when she goes for interviews. Drop-in child care center offers free hours till she finds a job.
- Homeless veteran really wants to be a plumber. Plumbing company agrees to provide an apprenticeship. If the veteran is able to complete all the educational credits, plumbing company agrees to offer him a job.
At first, I was thinking we needed a computer lab or a restaurant business run by the homeless but that will require a lot of funds.
This matching idea may be a great first step.
The Homeless in Wake County, North Carolina: The Listening Project 