article_snippet.sent: Homeless people in the Bay Area are being handed free smartphones by multi-billion dollar tech companies in the hope that it will get Homeless people in the Bay Area off the streets.
article_snippet.sent: A group called Community Technology Alliance is giving away free Google handsets which come loaded with apps that help the homeless find shelters, soup kitchens, and warn of severe weather.
article_snippet.sent: The phones are also designed to help people apply for jobs and find housing, as companies often require people to visit people websites.
article_snippet.sent: Before I got a free phone, it was like you’re almost nonexistent.'
article_snippet.sent: But the phone initiative attempts to give something back, with workers from Twitter, mobile games company Zynga, and business-based social network Yammer.
article_snippet.sent: Sam Dodge, a government worker who focuses on homelessness, added: 'Homeless people live in the year 2015, too, and people need cellphones.'
article_snippet.sent: The phones are also used to help homeless people get in touch with The phones relatives, who The phones have often become estranged from, and may be able to help in getting The phones lives back on track.
article_snippet.sent: Users are provided with plugs for the phones, which Users can use to recharge the batteries at coffee shops or in libraries for free.
article_snippet.sent: Users are charged between $30 and $40 per month for internet, phone and call access, which is usually funded through voluntary schemes for which Users are paid a stipend.
article_snippet.sent: The Community Technology Alliance works with other charities to find homeless people in need of a phone, and who would benefit the most from having one.
article_snippet.sent: So far The Community Technology Alliance have given out 100 of the 1,000 handsets
article_snippet.sent: The Community Technology Alliance have been given, and promised another 350 to other organisations.
article_snippet.sent: A spokesman for Mobile4all said: 'We provide a unique and empowering technological service to those struggling every day to escape poverty and homelessness. '
highlights_snippet.sent: Community Technology Alliance has given 100 free phones to homeless .
  