Enabling Angelinos to the Treasures of LA

Access to tech and creative industry employment

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Technology is a major connection point in our lives, but for many Angelenos with limited access and proficiency, even a simple web search can be challenging. Many apps require subscriptions and downloads, which can be daunting. This lack of access creates barriers for underserved populations and newcomers to Los Angeles, who may struggle to utilize essential services and opportunities. Last year, we met a newly arrived woman who neither drove nor spoke English. She couldn't find a bus route to our home and needed help finding a doctor. It took us two days to assist her. As we got to know her, she shared her struggles in finding basic resources. She struggled with downloading the LA Metro app. Things like this should not be the case. We can fix this.

LA Fun Link is a QR-initiated, free, web-based app designed to connect Angelinos who aren’t particularly tech-savvy to resources and the means to access the treasures of LA. Unlike other public transportation or travel apps, we offer an app accessed via a QR code using a phone camera—no app downloads, no logins, or fees required, and it will be provided in multiple languages. This app will offer convenient access to resources in your home language while continuing the goal of enhancing public transit usage. We aim to provide information on resources such as low-cost clinics, mental health clinics, veterinarians fluent in various languages, pharmacies, farmers markets, bike trails, libraries, attractions, affordable family activities, and more. Additionally, we will offer guidance on navigating the city and accessing these resources through public transit. Grant funds will be used for costs needed to market and launch our app including expanding our team by hiring local developers and operational staff to move the project along. This investment will enhance our app's visibility, functionality, and user interface, ensuring better integration with LA Metro APIs, improving the user experience, and community connectivity, and promoting sustainable urban mobility.

Upon successful implementation, LA Fun Link will push LA into a more connected and welcoming urban area. In the short term, the web-based app will enhance access to technology, resources, and public transit. Our scaling plans include adding more features to the app, extending service coverage, and refining integration with Los Angeles Metro APIs based on user feedback and emerging needs. This strategy will ensure the app's adaptability and longevity, reinforcing its role in shaping a model sustainable metropolis.
An added bonus would be to establish public transit as a better mode of travel, thereby fostering a more environmentally responsible community.

As a proposed initiative, LA Fun Link will measure success through several key indicators: user adoption rates, increased public transit usage, and user satisfaction. We will deploy app analytics to monitor user engagement and gather data on how frequently and effectively users interact with our service. Feedback surveys will be utilized periodically to capture user satisfaction and identify areas for improvement, ensuring that the app continues to meet the needs of its users. Additionally, we will work to collaborate with local transit authorities to analyze changes in public transit usage patterns. This partnership will provide us with quantitative data to assess the impact of our app on increasing transit ridership. By combining these metrics, we will have a more defined and comprehensive understanding of our app’s effectiveness.