Google’s Project CARE Gives Voicemail to Homeless in San Fransisco
When Google isn’t busy acquiring the online world or dodging questions about its recently-plummeting stock, it looks like the internet giant tries to do some good. Maybe it’s for the good of mankind, maybe it’s for the press or maybe Google just couldn’t figure out what else to do with its acquisition of GrandCentral. Whatever the case may be, Google recently launched a charitable initiative that really is forward-thinking in terms of approach. Google will provide a free unique phone number and voicemail service to each and every homeless person in San Fransisco who accepts it. Local GrandCentral numbers will be distributed via homeless shelters across the city and recipients will own their numbers for life, for free. The initiative has the potential to go a long way for San Fransisco’s homeless, providing a means for friends and family to easily communicate with them. Project CARE also has the potential to help homeless people as they get back on their feet. Interviewing for any job is difficult when a person cannot provide potential employers with a way to contact them for follow up. Project CARE will start in San Fransisco but Google hopes to take the show on the road and expand into cities across the country. Kudos.
[Via MSNBC]
I believe that this is a great idea. It will also give the homeless a sense of ownership, which should help them at least put a dent in their stressfull situations. Thank you Google!
way to go Google
This is amazing! The homeless often feel lonely and forgotten, and this will help keep the lines of communication open to those who think that no one’s listening.
Yeah! Way to help the people who helped you Google!!!
With the housing market the way it is the number of homeless will more than likely go up. This is a great out of the box thinking! Maybe the feds will let googles team think of a way to slove the social security issues!
Bah humbug. They could use suicide booths a lot more than this.
How is this new news? Project care started almost 2 years ago and i believe it was before google acquired Grand Central.
are you kidding? since when is voicemail a basic human necessity? Give me a break–how bout give them a sandwich instead.
@lowjack: EXACTLY
@BG: this is no “news”. Google suckered you (and everyone else reporting this now) into giving them lots of free positive press with a “nothing new here” story. And all these blogs raving about “good Google” since they post without researching.
Google just inherited Project Care from Grand Central, who started it. Why is this news?
I got a voicemail at the last Project Homeless Connect in San Francisco and was very excited to find out it was for life. After recording my outgoing message and having it for about a week, I was unable to access my account. The recorded voice said my password did not match. I have left numerous messages on the number left on the back of the card, but not heard back from the company. Does anyone have a live contact number or e-mail where I can contact google? I hate to have to wait till the next event? Thanks Kindly,
Megan
What about the free voice mail provided through community homeless service organizations? Your direct contact is your case manager and they also have a contact person if they can’t solve the problem. This also can provide connections to the local community service information such as jobs, housing, healthcare, etc. I think you can Google “Community Voice Mail” to find out more.