Find The Help You Need With Community Asset Resource Map App
DENVER (CBS4) - Denver is teaming up with nonprofits to make it easier for people who need help to find it. They have unveiled a new online map that helps people find the services they need in their own neighborhood.
It's called the Community Asset Resource Map Application, and was created through a partnership with the city of Denver, Mile High United Way, Denver Human Services, Department of Public Safety and Denver Police.
"Lately we've seen, unfortunately, a lot of people who have a lot of burdens and seem to be in some sort of crisis," explained Sgt. Carla Havard with Denver Police.
Whether it's someone who is homeless, dealing with food insecurity or in need of mental health services, as part of the citywide impact team, Sgt. Havard links them to services they need.
"Nobody is just on a corner because they want to be," Sgt. Havard explained. "If we have the time to engage in a moment of communication, we can find they have other needs."
Through CARMA, finding the resources for those needs in Denver will be lot easier. The new online map shows every service a person may need, all in one place.
"What causes some of these public safety issues, are things when people are desperate and they don't feel like they have choices," explained Christine Benero, the President and CEO of Mile High United Way.
One of the most important features of the app, according to officials, is that it shows people resources close to them. That's particularly handy for people who don't have access to transportation.
"I can hit a button and it will geo-locate to where we are," Sgt. Havard said. "And depending on what service - substance abuse, housing - I can tell them there might be a resource for whatever they need, only a block away."
Sgt. Havard said one of her officers recently used the app when flagged down by a man in crisis.
"The male wanted mental health services, he wanted to talk to someone immediately," she told CBS4. "While he was highly emotional, he was still crying, my officer was able to identify a counseling service only two blocks away."
Anyone can use the map, which is located online at Denvergov.org/communityresourcemap.
