TORONTO — Tech non-profit Ample Labs launched today its new chatbot app which aims to provide vulnerable Torontonians with access to real-time, accurate information to help protect themselves against the threat of Covid-19.
The Covid-Bot web app is designed to help people experiencing homelessness to access information about Covid-19, such as preventative measures, symptoms, assessment centre locations, community care groups, mental health supports and FAQs.
“When you can’t access the drop-in centre’s washrooms or the places you’ve always gone to get a meal, you feel helpless. For people experiencing homelessness who don’t know where to find places to keep safe and healthy by self-isolating, this is their reality,” said Michael Braithwaite, CEO of York Region’s Blue Door Shelters and former chair of Ample Labs, in the news release.
With a mission to use technology to empower people facing homelessness, Ample Labs developed the Chalmers app in 2019, which provides vulnerable Torontonians with access to information about free services, including shelters, drop-in-centres, food banks and more. According to the news release, more than 94% of people experiencing homelessness do have access to a mobile device.
Now, the new Covid-Bot app helps ensure Toronto’s most vulnerable community members get the essential information they need now to survive and stay safe, says the release.
Ali Asaria, CEO of Tulip, a Toronto-based mobile retail app provider, voiced his support for Ample Labs’ latest initiative.
“As a tech CEO, I think technology can play a role right now to help our city’s most vulnerable. This is more important than ever amidst Covid. I support what Ample Labs is doing and hope other tech leaders will step up to help as well,” Asaria said in the news release.
Ample Labs is asking anyone who would like to donate time, talent or funds to support the development of Covid-Bot 2.0 to please visit its crowdfunding campaign page.
