Peabody ponders joining social services Web site

PEABODY – The North Shore may soon reap the benefits of an online social service database similar to the one that has taken off in Merrimack Valley.As part of the city’s effort to increase joint community service to help those in need, city hall, local organizations, and religious centers are entertaining the idea of joining a free, searchable database that provides a detailed listing of available programs and agencies in the area.The online site, known as The Merrimack Valley Hub, would serve as the model for The North Shore Hub. It was originally designed and organized by the husband and wife Laura and Dan MacNeil, who wanted to combine community resources to more effectively address the needs of many different individuals.The couple presented their plan to expand service to Peabody and other communities at the second Social Services Summit held at St. John the Baptist last Thursday.The work would be done in association with North Shore Community Action Programs (NSCAP), the non-profit organization that assists over 14,000 less fortunate people each year.The database would allow users to log on to the site and search a variety of topics, from homeless shelters to food pantries and after school programs to health centers. Search results would provide a list of related organizations and programs, along with updated contact information and a link to their Web site, if one is available.The site would also tally what topics are searched the most and serve as a guide for programs that are most needed in the community.”I’m excited about our plans,” said Beth Hogan, executive director of NSCAP, adding that the site will help prevent duplicating efforts and allow for a much more targeted approach to providing assistance.”This is a good service and we hope to bring it to the North Shore,” said Laura MacNeil, who is also the deputy director at NSCAP.MacNeil and her husband are currently working on its development. They are in the process of updating the site’s logos to represent the North Shore, but must first find organizations willing to put their information on the web portal.”We’re looking to partner with local agencies on the North Shore,” said MacNeil. “And we need to find out what the needs are. The toughest part is getting people to participate.””We’re on the path to something I think the mayor (Michael Bonfanti) will support vigorously,” said Chief of Staff Sean Fitzgerald. “It’s a one-stop center of information.”