I’m nearly one year in as a program coordinator at Street Roots, and from installing and configuring office computer hardware to modifying the vendor sales tracking software, using my technical skill is something I’m constantly looking to do. Most recently, I helped launch the online emergency Rose City Resource to support folks in over 50 ZIP codes throughout Oregon.
COVID-19 has limited person-to-person communication with organizations in our community. I have grappled with finding a way to ensure that our vendors’ and vulnerable folks' needs are still being met amid this pandemic. In a time like this, we can identify the need for support. However, knowing where to find it can be a challenge.
The Mapping Action Collective reached out to Street Roots in 2018 to develop a digital Rose City Resource. Randy Morris, Community GIS project leader at Portland’s Metropolitan Studies; Sachi Arakawa, the founding organizer of Mapping Collective Action; and its primary lead developer, Tim Hitchins, developed the website. Street Roots had not yet launched it because we needed to develop staff support for its upkeep. That’s the role I stepped into.
At the core of the application is a collaborative spreadsheet program called Airtable. With Airtable, I could make data entries for various organizations hours, services, locations and more. I quickly got on board. A team of volunteers and Street Roots staff reached out to the hundreds of services in the guide, and after nearly 20 hours of data entry, five hours’ worth of Zoom video calls and countless discussions, the site was updated.
In the greater scheme of things, this entire process allows for quick dynamic database updates.
The online Rose City Resource is just as comprehensive as our print guide published twice a year. The only difference is it's completely online and able to be updated in real time.
Taking the time to view dozens of service providers made me proud to take a lead role in this endeavor. It's one of the many things that keeps the community informed on the latest resources to support themselves and others. Going forward, post COVID-19, I envision the online RCR as an additional resource that continues to empower us, connect us and keep the floodgates of support open.
Sophie Maziraga is Street Roots’ program coordinator.
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