Centralized Database to Increase Access to WIC programs
United for Brownsville is a community-driven, Brooklyn nonprofit with proven success helping the predominantly Black and brown children and families of Brownsville flourish. We facilitate collaborations between families and the social services sector that build trust, reimagine systems, and create equitable, data-based, and responsive solutions to racial inequities.
Project at a Glance:
Role:
Data Engineer
Hours Engaged:
10
Skills & Stack:
Airtable
Problem
United for Brownsville is a community-driven Brooklyn organization that works to improve access to public benefits and health equity for the children and families in Brownsville, including expanding participation in WIC, a free nutrition program that helps buy healthy food for women, infants, and children. With no easy way to gain real-time updates on WIC offices, their team relied on a time-intensive manual process to gather this information for their community members. This lack of information presents many barriers to individuals, resulting in increased wait times, lost opportunities and potentially missed benefits.
Solution
In order to increase transparency and access to WIC resources, United for Brownsville turned to Prometheus to create a centralized WIC database. A volunteer from the Prometheus talent network replaced multiple spreadsheets and Google Forms with a consolidated Airtable database that tracked WIC office information such as contacts, wait times, walk-in possibilities, and customer service ratings. With a centralized data repository, the volunteer was able to implement automations to ensure only the most recent and relevant information is made available. This information will empower residents to find the best options, decreasing potential wait-times and giving Brownsville important data for advocacy and improvement efforts.
“This was a great first experience working with Prometheus… [They] helped us break the work into discrete projects, understand and explore frontend and backend platforms, connect us to a fantastic early career developer who was expanding his portfolio, and manage the project from start to finish. [The talent] did fantastic work transferring our concept to AirTable, built in improvements and automations, and learned a new database platform himself. It was harmonious alignment between the mission and methods of a grassroots, neighborhood-based initiative like United for Brownsville with a fellow nonprofit that provides tech solutions and workforce development opportunities.” - David (Co-founder and Director of Strategy, United for Brownsville)