As NYC startups open their doors to companies displaced by Hurricane Sandy, offering workspace and Wi-Fi, one group is adapting its mission all together.
Yoink, a virtual bulletin board launched two weeks ago, has been completely repurposed to provide aid to New Yorkers in Sandy’s wake. It's now a peer-to-peer disaster relief site, where those impacted by the hurricane can log on and request material goods, and others can volunteer their time or offer shelter.
"We realized on Tuesday when the power came back on...it's going to take people awhile to get back on their feet," Yoink co-Founder Pierre Wooldridge says. He says the site will be dedicated to Sandy "for as long as it takes."
Everything on Yoink is free, but posters must connect through Facebook in order to offer services or request goods. For those still without power, SMS messages can be sent with request details and zip code information, which will then be posted by Yoink. It is up to the users to respond to requests and privately arrange logistics.
Wooldridge posted a picture of his apartment, offering displaced New Yorkers shelter as hotels kick them out. Others have offered batteries, food and free time to help with cleanup efforts. The team is coordinating with the Occupy movement in order to reach areas still without electricity.
The site is adapting its features to accommodate needs: The 'request' button is new as of Friday, and Wooldridge anticipates providing a categories page for people to more easily search for related items.
"Having watched Twitter feeds, there are a lot of people looking to help but saying they don’t know how," Wooldridge says. "[Yoink] might be able to do work with them and coordinate and take real action."