Google helps SF homeless with free phone number and voicemail

Here’s an example of how corporations can help renew society:

Google Expands Free Phone Number and Voicemail Project
San Francisco Chronicle
February 28, 2008 4:40 PM PST

Google is partnering with homeless shelters in San Francisco to distribute free phone numbers and voicemail accounts to those without homes, the company said Wednesday…

Since the acquisition of Grand Central last year, Google has been participating in periodic Project Homeless Connect events in which it has been providing the homeless with free phone numbers and voicemail accounts that they can access from any phone. More than 4,000 phone numbers and voicemail accounts have been distributed this way, Craig Walker, a senior product manager of voice products for Google, told the San Francisco Chronicle…

On Wednesday, Google announced that it would expand Grand Central’s project and partner directly with homeless shelters that will now be able to give out phone numbers and voicemail accounts and help individuals set up their accounts anytime. The idea is to expand the service, and eventually offer it in other cities, a Google spokesman said…

For homeless individuals, a phone is a luxury, and yet, telephony communications is an essential tool in our society. Without a phone number you can’t apply for a job or even get on a waiting list for low-income housing.

Said Google’s spokesman, “Being able to give a phone number to people and access voicemail can be a very powerful thing in sustaining quality of life….”

Read a complete article:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9882460-7.html?tag=newsmap

or here:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/28/BACBV9MBG.DTL