CivTechSA is asking you to provide community challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic with the intention of identifying and deploying the challenges to the tech community to help provide inspiration and start finding solutions together. Please take a few moments to fill out the survey below. Thank you for your participation!
Disclaimer: The CivTechSA Community Challenge Survey is to identify community challenges as a result of COVID-19 and not an official service of the City of San Antonio or an application form for services or assistance. If you need assistance or immediate services, please contact the City of San Antonio directly or emergency services, such as 911.
Purpose
Taking action as individuals in cohesion with others is an exciting and powerful way to accelerate the development of a helpful community. Our objective is to partner with students, entrepreneurs, startups, and tech organizations in the city who can address challenges through technology.
Community Challenges
Challenge 1
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, countless stores have run out or had a limited supply of cleaning supplies and other household items. What are alternative ways for people to get the supplies they need? How can stores better manage the increased demand for these items, while maintaining a safe and healthy environment?
Challenge 2
Small and large business owners are suffering with the current state of the country being on lockdown. Over 20 million people have filed for unemployment in the United States and in counting. The wait times are long and time-burdening, even taking up to three weeks to hear back from the IRS to get unemployment filed. Individuals and families depend on their income to make sure they have a roof over their head, food on the table, and enough to pay bills. With the current epidemic, there are not enough traditional jobs available for everyone. What are some ways to find additional sources of income? Filing for unemployment is not an easy feat, how can we help streamline that process?
Challenge 3
The need for additional support and services for Mental Health & Wellness can’t go overlooked. As the stay-at-home orders extend beyond the initial date, businesses, workers, and families have to adjust to the new normal. This can put additional strain on people due to social isolation, anxiety, stress, etc. Mental health stressors can affect anyone at any age, and no one is certain yet of how the pandemic will negatively impact our communities now and during our return to normalcy. What are some unique ways we can reach vulnerable populations, such as veterans, the elderly, and those struggling with increased mental health challenges?
Community Resources
CANopener Labs is a fully-equipped prototyping and development space. Their experienced in-house inventors and builders have created an instruction manual of a specific type of face shield to be printed and distributed throughout all of San Antonio’s local hospitals.
The City of San Antonio has been spearheading the fight against COVID-19 by supplying all necessary updates and links for those in need during this time. Below, you will find all of the City’s plans and initiatives to help provide a safe environment for the City’s constituents.
SA2020 is working to ensure individuals and organizations alike have resources to stay safe, adapt, and meet changing community needs. Below, find resources for the COVID-19 crisis, from local government orders to nonprofits’ funding needs to local community data.
Rise Civic Consulting is a local startup in San Antonio that has dedicated its time and effort in the fight against COVID-19 by providing a one stop shop for anyone who is interested in donating and requesting PPE along with other community resources.
STEAM Tot Box is a local organization run by Felisha Powell who creates monthly subscription boxes of teacher approved STEAM activities. She has leveraged her partnership with LS4 3D Printing to create custom face shields for medical personnel on the front lines against COVID-19.
In This Together SA is an initiative hosted by SWEB’s Founder and CEO, Magaly Chocano in an effort to support local businesses through custom merchandise. Find out more below on how you can pay it forward to San Antonio’s local businesses.
Disclaimer: The CivTechSA Community Challenge Survey is to identify community challenges as a result of COVID-19 and not an official service of the City of San Antonio or an application form for services or assistance. If you need assistance or immediate services, please contact the City of San Antonio directly or emergency services, such as 911.