Prepared by Ashley Sundquist
How to Create a "List for Good" on Google Maps
Image: Bob Al-Green / Mashable
Questions to ask before getting started
What sets my heart
on fire?
Who in my community needs help?
What resources are available near me?
What types of lists could I create?
Homeless Shelters
Mental Health Facilities
Places of
Faith
LGBTQ+ Support Centers
Senior Support Centers
EBT Friendly
Restaurants
Community Centers
Shelters for Women and Children
Domestic Violence
Support
Food Banks
Breast Milk Banks
Addiction Clinics
Immigration Support Services
Veterans Support Groups
Alcohol Recovery Groups
Disability Empowerment Groups
Why should I organize supportive services on Google Maps?
FREE�
Google Maps is a free mobile application that can be used by anyone with Internet access and a mobile device or computer!
USER FRIENDLY
Whether you’re a compassionate neighbor or a professional social worker, you have the ability to curate custom “Lists for Good” on Google Maps to better organize supportive services for people in need in your community.
EASY TO ACCESS
Have you ever lost an important business card or paper flyer?! Instead of keeping track of papers, just save your “List for Good” URL and you won’t lose access to important lists of resources.
REAL-TIME
LOCATION DATA
You can access your list from anywhere in the world! There are 200,000,000 places on Google Maps with real-time location data at your fingertips.
*Source: Harmony Rhoades, Suzanne L. Wenzel, Eric Rice, Hailey Winetrobe & Benjamin Henwood (2017): No digital divide? Technology use among homeless adults, Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, DOI: 10.1080/10530789.2017.1305140
Here are a few examples of Ashley’s lists on Google Maps
You can create lists on Google Maps to organize a variety of different resources, services and locations.
What kind of map does your community need?
How to create a “List for Good” on Google Maps
Mobile Instructions
1. Open the Google Maps application on your mobile device
2. Tap "Saved" icon on the lower bar
3. Click "+ New List"
4. Enter a unique name for your Google Maps list
5. Describe your map in the "List Description" box
7.To publicly share your map, select "Public." Select "Shared" if you only want to share with anyone who has the link.
8. Click "Save." Start adding places to your Google Maps list!
9. Click the "+ Add" icon and type in the name of a place.
10. Return to the primary Map view and search for more places
11. Click "Save" to add that location to your list
12. Click "Done"
13. Click "Add a note" to add details about that place
14. Congratulations on creating your first Google Maps list!
Desktop Instructions
1. Open https://www.google.com/maps on your desktop browser
2. Click this icon ☰ in the upper left corner
3. Select "Your Places"
4. Click the tab that saves "Saved"
5. Click the circular blue "+" icon to create a new list
6. Enter a unique name for your Google Maps list
7. Click "Create"
8. Describe your map in the "List Description" box
9. Click "Add a Place" and begin searching for the name of a place
10. Return to the primary Map view and search for more places
11. Once you can view that place's details, click "Save" to add it to your list!
12. Click "Done
13. Click "Add a note" to add details about that place
14. Congratulations on creating your first Google Maps list!
How do I gather information for my map?
Call the places you’re adding to your maps
Ask questions like these. Be thorough. And most importantly, keep your list updated with everything you learn!
Educate yourself
Click “Add a note” beneath every place on your map
Add helpful information and keep the “note” updated!
How can I share my Google Maps list?
WORD OF MOUTH
Get to know people in your community who are struggling. If they’re interested in receiving help, share your resource list with them via text or email. Share your efforts with your family and friends so they can also become better educated on supportive services that are available.
MAKE BUSINESS CARDS
Some folks still want to learn about resources from a piece of paper. Buy an inexpensive domain name that redirects to your Google Maps list and print inexpensive business cards with an easy-to-remember URL. Give them out when someone asks for help!
PARTNER WITH OTHERS
Contact your local service providers to see if they are interested in sharing your lists with the people they help. Ask to volunteer. The maps will be more impactful if you’re creating and sharing them in partnership
with others.
POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Spread the word online! Share your list’s unique URL on your Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or other social media platforms so the information is accessible from a mobile device. My friend Joe shares the lists on his website, California Hunger Games!
Next steps
LISTEN
Get to know people in your community who need help. Listen to their stories to better understand what they need. Do not make assumptions on what they need before getting to know them, earning their trust and understanding their interest in receiving help.
LEARN
Educate yourself on the supportive services available in your area. Learn about existing resources and add them to your Google Maps list. Most importantly, keep your lists updated.
LEAD/LOVE
Your work isn’t done. Keep your Google Maps list updated as dates and times of services will change. If possible, stay connected with the men and women in your community to provide ongoing support. Share with anyone you meet who would like help.
Contact
Ashley Sundquist
www.adventureunabashedly.com
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