Posted on 02/28/2008 5:56:24 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Google gives homeless free voicemail
By staff writers
February 29, 2008 11:42am Article from: NEWS.com.au
EVERY homeless person living in San Francisco will be given a phone number and voicemail to help them get back on their feet, Google says. The internet giant has promised to provide the life-long services to the city's entire homeless population in order to help them get a job and build self-esteem.
Senior project manager at Google Craig Walker said the free services could one day be rolled out across the US, allowing every homeless person to list their own number on job applications.
“We're firm believers in the power of technology to improve the daily lives of individuals and communities as a whole, and we recognise that access to phone and voicemail services is one way (to) help San Francisco's homeless stay connected with family, friends, social workers, health care providers, and potential employers,” Mr Walker said.
“While we're excited to bring this technology to our local Bay Area community, our ultimate goal is to provide these invaluable services to cities and shelters across the country.”
San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom said the new project would change the way the homeless see society, msnbc.com reported.
“How do you communicate as a homeless individual?” Newsom said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
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But...what about the Katrina victims?
let me tag this one...
Outstanding! With this new voicemail service, they should be off the dole in six months, seven tops.
Well.....I guess now....at least some of them can call the liquor store to deliver to their refrigerator box.
I don’t know if this will work, but I admire and respect Google for at least *trying* to help the unfortunate. Hey, they’re using their assets to help people without any government subsidy. Conservatives should be for that.
Dominos too. All kinds of doors will open.
Too bad there’s no pay phones left for them to use to check their mail.
Nah... it’s so much easier to be sarcastic than supportive.
I’m totally missing something here. How do you use a phone number and voicemail without a phone?
It’s an idotic idea but your right. I commend google for not taking tax payer money to fund charity. Who knows it may help one or two people. Four tops
Google can do what they want. If it helps someone, good.
A lovely idea, but it won’t do much good.
I agree. People should be lauding this work, instead of mocking it.
I guess the homeless people will access it from their laptops and cellphones? Silly.
I'm not mocking the kind-heartedness, but the homeless WANTING to work? Now THAT'S funny. Those guys who hold signs saying "looking for work" "need help" aren't and don't.
I've nothing against getting gov't out of the charity business, believe me. My problem with these types of programs and the stories that get written about them is that they all start from the premise that these people are just down on their luck types who just need a helping hand. A toothless, urine soaked, gibberish spouting derelict is not someone who just needs a little help getting back on his feet. Most of these folks are seriously mentally ill. A voice-mail account won't change that.
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