Imagine the amount of time educators, principals, counselors, and social workers spend tracking down helpful community-based resources to meet the needs of young people and families. Or the sheer number of brochures, flyers, and business cards that are collected and distributed again and again over the course of the year.
What if a single, easily searchable map could display diverse community resources like childcare centers, food pantries, immigration assistance, tutoring centers, and healthcare clinics? What if educators, counselors, mentors, and coaches could generate a list of resources tailored to a specific individual’s needs in a matter of seconds?
Our Block is the first digital asset mapping platform of its kind created in partnership with non-profit organizations and community members across the country to highlight local resources and connect young people and families with multi-faceted, trusted networks of personal support.
Our Block spotlights the very best of our local communities and equips educators, guidance counselors, social workers, resource coordinators, and others with a simple set of tools to help families access what they need. A family facing food insecurity, new parents needing childcare, and teens looking for safe spaces can all find trusted resources on the same site. From meeting basic needs to exploring enrichment activities, Our Block can improve daily experiences for families while also helping PK-12 schools serve as dynamic hubs for their local communities.
On the free version of Our Block, anyone can:
- Make recommendations for resources to add to their local map.
- Search for resources in a specific city or geographical area.
- Save resources individually or in collections.
- Share resources or customized search results.
- Toggle easily between English and Spanish.
Resources can be searched by keywords including name, location, category, and descriptive tags, and details on each resource include information about how to access services. Search results can also be restricted to a specific geographical area, like a district or school’s enrollment boundary. All resources recommended by users are vetted by TNTP before being added to the site.
We also offer Our Block+, an annual subscription package for schools or community organizations, which includes:
- Customized Launch Toolkits to help your community crowdsource resources from families and other local sources.
- Awareness-Raising Materials such as postcards or social media content to engage and inform families about Our Block.
- Comprehensive Training Resources to equip every member of your system with the skills to maximize the site’s potential.
- Pre-Populated Community Resources to align with a system’s focus areas and priorities, such as literacy, attendance, and summer enrichment.
With Our Block, educators and support staff can spend less time searching for information and more time building relationships with students and caregivers. Additionally, school leaders using Our Block can learn more about the organizations that families already use and trust, leading to stronger, more focused partnerships for schools.
Most importantly, with the help of Our Block, young people and their families can more easily access resources that can put them on a path to economic and social mobility, from food and healthcare to career services, personal support networks, and opportunities for civic engagement.
We invite you to visit Our Block and help us build a trusted resource hub for your local community. For any questions about Our Block or Our Block+, please contact TNTP.
