Google Distributes Free Phone Numbers To Homeless

[engine]

Google is partnering with homeless shelters in San Francisco to distribute free phone numbers and voicemail accounts to those without homes, the company said Wednesday.

The Internet giant is expanding a service that was started by Grand Central, a San Francisco-based start-up that Google acquired last year. Grand Central's technology allows calls to be routed to a home, business, or cell phone using a single phone number. The service offers people a way to organize and unify their communications, a Google spokesman said.

Google Distributes Free Phone Numbers To Homeless [news.com]

[BillyS]

People in the United States are homeless for a reason. I'm not sure many of the homeless will be taking Google up on the offer of a free telephone number. Still, a step in the right direction for a company Google's size.

[engine]

It has to be good. At least they can get calls to follow up to better their opportunities.

[skibum]

Between 25 percent and 40 percent of the nation's 750,000 homeless are unemployed, according to a 2005 survey conducted by the advocacy group the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

So that means 60-75% of homeless people have jobs, wow. An awful lot of kids in there too. :(