About this project

The Spokane Community Assistant helps anyone in Spokane County find free and low-cost help — food, shelter, health care, help with bills, legal aid, and more — by simply asking, in plain language, by text or voice, in ten languages. It draws on a continuously verified directory of nearly 1,900 local organizations and public programs. It is free, private, and carries no advertising; it complements services like 211 and 988 rather than replacing them.

Who built it

This project was created by Vivek H. Patil, Professor of Marketing and Director of Graduate Business Programs in the School of Business Administration at Gonzaga University, in partnership with Gonzaga's Center for Community Engagement. It grew out of a simple conviction: the help people need in hard moments already exists in this community — the problem is finding it. Technology should close that gap.

Share your thoughts

Your thoughts, comments, and suggestions are genuinely welcome — whether you're a resident who used the assistant, a caseworker, a service provider whose listing needs updating, or a potential community partner. Write to patil@gonzaga.edu.

Spotted incorrect information about an organization? The fastest fix is the “⚠ Report a problem” link on that organization's card — reports reach a human the same day.

In an emergency call 911. For crisis support, call or text 988. · Privacy · Browse all resources