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Meet the Local Guide helping homelessness through Google Maps

Former Google Contributor

Caption: A photo of Local Guide Ashley Sundquist.Caption: A photo of Local Guide Ashley Sundquist.

@AshleySundquist is a Local Guide like you who is passionate about helping others in her community. You might remember reading about her during the launch of Guiding Stars, where she caught our attention for the incredible work she’s doing to battle homelessness in her area of Santa Monica, California.

 

When she moved there four years ago, she noticed something different from the other places she’d lived. “I’ve lived in big cities much of my adult life; I’ve lived in Washington, D.C., Rome, and New York City,” she said. “None of those places prepared me for how many people here in Santa Monica are unhoused.”

 

During her morning commute, Ashley noticed how many people were living outside and gathering at the Santa Monica Public Library. Her gym was next door, and eventually, Ashley started crossing the street to say hello. Soon, she’d made connections with library employees and the people without homes who gathered there, and she began looking for ways to help. 

 

Just one way she assisted in this area is by creating lists for people in need. She made lists of resources for young people experiencing homelessness, food banks and restaurants that accept EBT cards. To make things even easier to find, Ashley bought the domains “lashelters.org” and “lashelters.com,” which send visitors to these lists. “Now when anybody in the world goes to one of those websites, they’ll see these maps,” Ashley said.

 

Caption: A screenshot of Ashley’s Google Maps list for youth resources in L.A.Caption: A screenshot of Ashley’s Google Maps list for youth resources in L.A.

 

When COVID-19 hit, Ashley had to pivot. She volunteered her time to teach caseworkers (via Google Meet) how to create their own lists in Google Maps. She also created a list to help people find free Wi-Fi after many restaurants, coffee shops and other places that offer internet access closed their doors, and another list to help people find transportation to shelters when COVID-19 precautions altered bus schedules. 

 

Ashley’s hope is that her neighbors feel seen and cared for, and that the Google Maps lists help them meet their basic needs. “I don’t think people realize how tremendously difficult it is to get help when you’re experiencing homelessness,” she says. “I hope this can help people get through their day with dignity and humanity. That’s what we’re all trying to do right now.” 


To learn more about Ashley, check out her Google Maps profile and read more on The Keyword.

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