A new app is being piloted in the Timmins area, offering a way to help agencies better tackle homelessness, mental health and addiction issues on the region’s streets.
Officials involved with the HummingBird App say it is creating a ‘buzz’ among outreach organizations in Timmins.
The app is a collaboration between the local agency DIY Community Health Timmins and Vancouver-based tech firm Sponge Design.
Officials with DIY Community Health told CTV News that they are hoping the app with become the go-to solution for many concerns in the area – the idea is to allow people to request help from local agencies in real-time for a variety of safety or cleanliness issues.
Officials involved with the project are telling the public to think of it as “Uber for outreach.”
“It could be for a business owner, who’s dealing with some issues in the downtown core. It could be for a member of the public, who’s out for a walk and they see something that requires attention. It could be for somebody who has a family member or a friend, who’s in distress and they want support for them,” said Jason Sereda, one of the founders of DIY Health Timmins.
“It could also be for a person who’s looking for a bit of extra help, doesn’t know where to turn.”
The app’s developer said they wanted to pilot the project in a community like Timmins – a community that is small in size but with issues that need strong coordination to solve.
The HummingBird app will allow agencies in the area to opt-in to monitor for requests for services they offer then respond and report back once the immediate issue is resolved.
“We really hope that, through this experience, we can train more active bystanders, who will be willing to use this app to really help anyone they see on the street, who’s going through a crisis,” said Renee Yu, one of the co-founders of Sponge Design and a developer involved in the HummingBird App.
Outreach officials that have been testing the app told CTV News that with the correct opt-in it would be a better way to deploy resources and work with the community.
“People are asking for help, they’re asking for different community organizations to step up,” said Sereda.
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The app is still in the development stage and the next week will be spent introducing it to agencies, business owners and community members in the Timmins area to collect feedback.
Officials with the project said they plan to launch the app in Timmins sometime in April, see how it performs and make improvements as needed.
