People are hurting, and that’s a fact. From the national level where we are led by an orange buffoon who is more concerned with enriching himself and constructing monuments to his dubious glory, to the local level where the two parties continuously fight to see who will lead us next with their ineptitude and lack of compassion, it is forever the people who suffer. This has never been more apparent or tragic. Gas is at an all-time high, the cost of groceries is through the roof, and many folks are one paycheck away from being homeless. People need a respite. People need comfort. People need hope.
This is where Robert Diamond enters the picture. Mr. Diamond is a writer, investigative journalist, and documentary filmmaker who hails from Providence. He has previously been involved in running a food bank in RI and, improbably, used to race yachts. He also currently lives in a homeless shelter. He has seen the struggle that people are facing and has decided to do something about it. While it is true that no one man can fix all the problems of this state, each individual can make a difference. This is what Robert Diamond is attempting to do.
Robert Diamond is the founder of Hope: Rhode Island’s free survival guide. Hope is a free app that can be downloaded to one’s phone. There is no account to set up and no login. The app supports both English and Spanish. Simply download it.
Normally, if one goes to a service in RI to receive assistance, you are handed a sheet of paper with various places where you can try to obtain food and shelter. Unfortunately, much of the information is outdated and/or inaccurate. This can be devastating for people who are in immediate need of relief. Imagine walking across town to a soup kitchen or shelter, just to find out they are full or no longer open. It can be disheartening to say the least. Mr. Diamond seeks to solve this problem through his new app.
The app is designed to be used in worst-case scenarios for people who are in dire straits. The app is updated in real time, regardless of what type of aid you need. You don’t have to be an expert in RI social services, or a tech-savvy person to be able to use it. Simply tell the app what you need, and its AI Bridge will present the information. If you need a meal, it will provide a list of soup kitchens and times for you. If you need a roof over your head, it will provide you with a list of shelters that can assist. It even assists with medical necessities. If you can’t afford your medication, it will direct you to places that can help. In need of a doctor? They will direct you to a physician who will not turn you away.
One of the problems in RI is that, despite the fact that many services are available, people either don’t know they exist or they don’t know how to access them. Although no service is perfect, this app takes a major step in solving this significant problem.
One interesting aspect of this app is that it is not only accessible to anyone, but it can be updated by the public as well. If you find out that a phone number, address, or time for a particular service is wrong or out of date, simply report it to the app and the information will be updated.
Indeed, Mr. Diamond is actively looking for help in continuing to develop the app. He is looking for people and organizations who are willing and able to be a part of Hope and contribute to its effectiveness. The community being built by this app will have a major hand in ensuring that the data is as accurate as possible. The app is also in need of fixed sponsorship and funding. A GoFundMe has been set up for any folks that wish to donate to the cause. People who already work within the system and recognize its problems and limitations are also encouraged to take part. Whether they are a social worker, a veteran’s advocate, or a senior services coordinator, their experience and knowledge of a flawed system would be invaluable to helping direct people to the easiest path to help.
The problem is not just a matter of hunger or homelessness. It is a matter of the impending nature of these problems to all Rhode Islanders. It seems as if too many people these days are one bad decision or one bad day away from catastrophe, and it needs to be addressed in a bipartisan manner. People need to feel hope again. They need to know that their effort will be rewarded and not ignored by a system that seems to have long since left them behind.
For more info go to hope401.org, or email Mr. Diamond at hope401ri@gmail.com. Each of us can play a small part in correcting the ills of our current system if we just put out a little effort.