What is this project about?
Our goal is to extend access to opportunities and technology to those in transition. This project is designated for campaigns and initiatives to help homeless, refugees and international displaced persons, those who are temporarily without a place to sleep and families living without shelter long term, as well as those now housed but still considering themselves in transition.
We envision a dual project: 1) a web mashup of resources for displaced/homeless/folks in transition to a dream and 2) an innovative curriculum in Second Life in which people will be given not only access to the mashup resources, but also the mentoring required to help them plan a new life and create a virtual business.
Who are the organizers?
We are representatives of several nonprofits who met in the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life during NPC weekly meetings. Over the months we have realized that we each could bring unique resources to bear on a project that would be global in scope and that would bring resources to those who need them; awareness to everyone; and a way up for those who wish to work on creating a virtual business.
Project specifics
Our mashup plans (see Relevant Documents) are to draw on existing directories of homeless resources; posts made to the Homeless People's Network; homeless/displaced blogs; and the caring expertise of a network of involved persons.
All resources will be available in Second Life as well. Here, we will provide a program in which people can build a virtual home while going through a curriculum that includes sustainbility, personal finances, and planning for a new life, including a virtual business. In a second phase, those who choose to go on will mentor someone new to the project - and will be given the resources to manifest their virtual business.
To learn more:
Transitions Steps: An explanation of steps that mentors and mentees will progress through, beginning with the design, creation and use of a global mashup of resources; continuing to an innovative Second Life curriculum for life resdesign; and culminating in real life impact.
Our Tumblr blog, where we are gathering resources.
FYI Developers, above, provides answers to questions posed at the Google Netsquared Hackathon.
In Contact and Team Information, above, you will find email addresses and a bit more about our nonprofit team partners.