The Dohmen Company Foundation is seeking technology ideas that can make a difference in improving the health of Milwaukee’s women and children, fathers and families. An open call for software solutions runs now through Oct. 14.
The effort is part of a “Tournavation,” a crowd-sourced idea generation platform that addresses important issues facing urban communities like Milwaukee.
After a live presentation of the top 10 ideas on Oct. 20, the most viable, scalable and concrete software solution will be developed by a coalition of volunteer IT professionals led by Red Arrow Labs, a Dohmen Company.
The software will be gifted to the community as a single, tangible step toward improving the health of Milwaukee residents. A ribbon cutting, gifting and launch for it is scheduled for Dec. 7.
“Philanthropy is changing from a passive process that sits to the side of an organization to one that’s an integrated focus for business,” said Cynthia LaConte, president of the Dohmen Company Foundation. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish through the Dohmen Company Foundation, but I really wanted to unleash the time and skills of our business to work on some of Milwaukee’s most pressing problems. I believe that organizing innovation talent across our business community could bring incredible power to the task of making our city stronger.”
The Tournavation is an initiative by The Dohmen Company Foundation, the charitable arm of the Milwalukee-based Dohmen Company, in partnership with NEWaukee, Red Arrow Labs, the city of Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families at United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.
This is the third Tournavation NEWaukee has hosted with the city of Milwaukee.
“Tournavation has shown that there is no shortage of incredible ideas in our community to help address our most complex problems,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “Through Tournavation, we have created innovative solutions to foreclosures and food security, resulting in the HOME GR/OWN program, as well as temporary art installations that have brought life to new locations. Today, we are back with new partners asking individuals and organizations to answer a big question: What software solution could help improve health outcomes in Milwaukee?”
To participate in the Tournavation, people may submit their ideas in-person at the Oct. 1 and Oct. 6 information sessions at the Dohmen Company; mail it to Angela Damiani of NEWaukee at 161 W. Wisconsin Ave. #16 in Milwaukee; or online at http://newaukee.com/event/tournavation/.
“The beauty of the Tournavation is the way it empowers Milwaukeeans to share their opinions and have their voices be heard and made actionable for benefit of the community at large,” said Angela Damiani, president of NEWaukee. “We are honored to partner with Dohmen Company Foundation and Red Arrow Labs to pilot a new way of public-private partnership that serves the community in such an innovative way.”
