I’ve been fascinated by how much technology increasingly becomes essential to our lives… and I often wonder what kinds of things that I currently take for granted or just consider “normal” (Facebook, texting, COMPUTERS!, etc.) will I consider outrageous when my kids are in their twenties? And I’m excited to see how this technology thread will align with the thread of social justice that has been increasingly become more prevalent over the last few years. How will the two interact?

I work for a company called ClientTrack (www.clienttrack.net) that uses technology to help nonprofits and governmental organizations do lots of cool things, like increasing operational efficiency (saving time and money – always a plus), ensuring compliance, and allowing them to quantify and broadcast their social impact. Every time I see a demo of our software, I get GIDDY because I can’t believe what a difference technology can make in helping incredible organizations like nonprofits actually further their missions. ClientTrack and all the tech geniuses that work here have definitely shown me that stuff like touch-screens in grocery stores are a real possibility. I hope that our software can increasingly play a role in addressing serious issues like poverty. If you’re interested, check out our website.

Katrina, Thanks for leaving your comment and sharing information about Millennium Promise! Technology holds such potential for helping end poverty and other issues both in developing countries and in our ‘first world’ nations. Thanks again!

Alex, Thanks for sharing your Blog Action Day post with us!

Priscilla, Thanks for weighing in! I think you bring up a great point that the information kiosks wouldn’t serve only people in extreme poverty or need, but could help those on the fringe who may be embarrassed to ask someone personally where to find social services they need. If you were putting these kiosks in place, where would you put them? I suggested grocery stores as a possible location but don’t know that it necessarily is the best.

Laura, Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I definitely see your point about the obstacles involved in the tech van idea. What obstacles come to mind for the kiosk idea? Glad to share Social Actions with you!

You can see some of the maps at http://mappingforjustice.blogpot.com and you can search a zip code map at http://www.horizonmapping.net/projects/tmc/tmc_gallery/Tutor_Mentor_inter_maps.html

As other cities duplicate this process events like Blog Action Day can serve as advertising to get the attention of potential volunteers, donors and business partners. This can also connect different programs with each other for networking and idea sharing.