What many low-income people have is a failure to communicate with regular society.
The simple act of leaving a message can be the difference between getting a job or being unemployed for prolonged periods, getting medical treatment or suffering through deteriorating health, getting a permanent place to stay or living in transient conditions, getting the position in the class or training program or trying to get by with minimal skills.
Often, people with no way of accepting a phone call just don't bother to try for such improvements because they know it is futile.
The Prince George Metis Housing Society is trying to dial that problem down for local people on small incomes with a community voicemail system. Grants and donations are being solicited to establish the technology, so people without dependable homes or phones can still have a dependable communication system.
"This is a common tool used in other jurisdictions, it is all over the United States, and Lu'ma Native Housing Society brought it to Canada in 2010 for the Vancouver area. We would be the second location in Canada," said Leo Hebert, executive director of the Metis housing society. "It creates a clear line of dependable communication for people who don't have that, but do have business to do."
In other jurisdictions, the users are from many sectors of society but the common denominator is they can't afford a round-the-clock telephone.
Hebert was inspired by the potential of the community voice-mail system.
"There is also a social value to making disenfranchised people feel connected - actually be connected - to regular society," he said. "When they know they belong, they feel confident that they are a valued part of society, able to participate in society, that improves a lot of things for everyone around them. They can make appointments, they can respond to people affecting their lives like doctors or lawyers or bankers, they can hear the voices of their kids or their parents saying 'I love you' when they are far away."
Hebert is campaigning to raise about $40,000 towards the actual startup cost of approximately $110,000. He has already raised almost $50,000 from other sources.
Since the system can handle hundreds of dedicated phone numbers, it could benefit the entire region because numbers could also be issued for surrounding communities as well.
Those using the numbers would be able to access messages from the number by calling in from any available phone. They could also leave messages of their own for people calling in.
Another unique feature of the community voice mail system is blanket messaging: those who administrate the system can offset costs by occasionally delivering voice ads from sponsor companies, leave important public messages from levels of government or not-for-profit agencies, inform the subscribers about job fairs or large-scale "help wanted" initiatives and so on.
"We want to launch by January. We think that is a realistic goal," said Hebert.
For questions or to provide support, call Hebert at 250-564-9794 or email him at [email protected].
