About + Privacy
About HelpSignal
Finding help should not be harder than it already is.
Hours change, capacity fills, and services may require an appointment, a referral, or a phone call first. Even a listing that was accurate yesterday may not tell someone what to expect today.
HelpSignal gives participating providers a simple way to share their latest status and public service information in one place, so people can make a better-informed call or trip.
Why we built it
The problem is not a lack of community resources. It is the gap between knowing a service exists and knowing what the provider is currently reporting: whether it is available, what the requirements are, and whether someone should call first.
Providers already know when hours change, capacity is limited, or access requirements are different. HelpSignal gives them a direct way to update that public information and makes it easier for people to understand what to expect before reaching out or traveling there.
How it works
Participating providers can share public information such as:
- Current provider-reported status
- Hours
- Intake requirements
- Appointment or referral requirements
- Service instructions
- Other important access details
HelpSignal displays the latest information available from that provider. Availability can still change after an update, so people should call first when possible.
What HelpSignal is not
- Not HMIS, not coordinated entry, not case management. We don’t replace any provider’s intake process or eligibility rules.
- Not a record-keeping system for people experiencing homelessness. We don’t hold service histories, eligibility decisions, or referrals.
- Not affiliated with any single agency. Providers participate voluntarily and can leave at any time.
HelpSignal does not replace HMIS, coordinated entry, 211, provider intake, case management, or emergency services. It complements existing systems by adding a public-facing status layer for local urgent resources.
Starting locally
HelpSignal was founded in Colorado Springs and is starting locally, with a focus on learning directly from providers, outreach teams, and the people who use community resources.
The long-term goal is to build a practical resource tool that can work in any community where changing information makes it harder for people to find help.
Who operates HelpSignal
HelpSignal is created and operated by HelpSignal LLC. Business contact: cecilia@helpsignal.org. General inquiries: info@helpsignal.org.
What we collect from people using the site
- Search activity. Which categories, cities, or ZIPs were searched. No IP addresses, no personal info. Used to understand what people are looking for.
- Resource views. How often each listing is viewed. No personal info. Search engine and link-preview bots are filtered out.
- Privacy-minded usage analytics. HelpSignal may collect privacy-minded usage analytics such as page views, resource searches, category filters, and resource views to understand whether the pilot is useful. HelpSignal does not use this data to identify public users and does not collect client-level records.
- Optional feedback. When you report outdated info, you can optionally leave a contact email so we can follow up. The email is visible only to HelpSignal admins, never to the public.
- Availability alerts, only if you ask for one. If you ask to be told when a resource becomes available, we store the listing, how you asked to be contacted (an email address, or a browser notification for that device), and the times the alert was created and sent. We do not store your name or anything about why you need the service. Alerts are deleted 30 days after you create them, and the contact details go with them. Admins do not see who asked for an alert.
What we deliberately do not collect
- No account is required to use the public site.
- No names, birthdates, or Social Security numbers.
- No addresses, immigration status, medical information, or service history.
- No continuous location tracking. (The “Use my location” button asks your browser for permission each time. If you choose that search, HelpSignal may store the coordinates tied to that search record.)
- No advertising cookies. HelpSignal uses privacy-minded analytics, and availability alerts may rely on limited browser storage or a small alert-management cookie.
- We don’t share, sell, or transfer data to advertisers or marketing platforms.
Provider accounts
Providers and administrators who manage listings have a signed-in account, handled by Clerk. We store their name, email, phone (if provided), and which organization they belong to. They use this account only to update public statuses; they don’t enter any client or recipient information.
Safety-sensitive listings
Domestic-violence shelters, youth drop-in sites, and other providers with location-safety concerns can have their physical address hidden from public view. The listing shows “Contact provider for location” instead. Providers choose this setting; if a listing should be hidden and isn’t, please let us know.
How long we keep data
- Search and view logs: kept for the duration of the pilot, then aggregated. No individual person is identifiable.
- Feedback submissions: kept until reviewed and resolved.
- Availability alerts: expire 30 days after you create them, and their contact details are deleted at the same time. Deleting an alert yourself deletes them immediately.
- Provider and admin accounts: kept while you’re participating or until you ask to be removed.
Removing your information
Providers: ask the HelpSignal admin to deactivate or delete your listing. Anyone who submitted feedback with a contact email and wants it removed: email us at the address below. Availability alerts you can remove yourself at any time, from Alert settings on the alerts screen.
Contact
Questions, removal requests, or to report something: email info@helpsignal.org.
Last updated: August 24, 2026