About CORDS
Facilitating youth access to supports and opportunities through distributed AI-enabled navigation infrastructure
CORDS (Contextual Opportunities and Resources Distribution System) is an AI-based search and wayfinding system created with the goal of making it easier for youth across Canada to navigate important challenges like finding employment, building skills, accessing housing, managing finances, and taking care of mental and physical health.
Find out more about the goals of this project, the challenges we are addressing, what's coming next, and how you or your organization can be part of CORDS.
How it Works
Start by entering your inquiry (e.g., “I’m looking for a part-time job”) and you’ll see the programs, services, and opportunities available in your region. CORDS will also recommend similar resources to the ones that come up in your search results, and additional resources that might be useful to you on your journey.
Because CORDS uses natural language processing (NLP), you don’t have to know the exact name of the program or service you’re trying to find. Simply entering a search like “I need a place to stay” will connect you with housing and shelter services in your area.
What’s the difference between CORDS and Google?
Search results served by CORDS are sourced exclusively from our Data Partners who are experts in domains like employment, social services, mental health, financial supports, and so on. They curate databases of opportunities and resources in their respective domains, which ensures that CORDS only refers you to legitimate opportunities and resources.
CORDS is also built to act as an “expert system,” meaning that it mirrors the knowledge of professionals like counselors, career advisors, and other front line workers. These are seasoned professionals who can work with you to understand your needs and direct you to the resources that will best serve your needs.
CORDS strives to provide a similar experience in digital form. CORDS won’t just return results based on your search, but also recommend more programs and resources that might be helpful for you, including those you may not be aware of.
"No Wrong Door" on the web
CORDS provides tools to easily add its smart navigation technology to your website. When visitors come to websites or pages where CORDS is enabled, they’ll find a widget that shows them similar opportunities or resources to what they are currently viewing on your site. CORDS will also show users recommendations for other types of support they might need on their journey.
By integrating CORDS into your website, your digital door is always the right door. If a visitor doesn't find what they need on your site, CORDS helps you point them in the right direction instead of turning them away. And if they do find what they were looking for on your site, CORDS will suggest other types of supports they may not have considered.
For instance, if your organization provides free food, the CORDS tool on your site might refer visitors to other food sources closer to where they’re located, or to related resources like local shelter options or financial benefits they may be entitled to.
Integrating CORDS on your site makes you part of our Community Partner Network, helping visitors navigate seamlessly through expertly curated opportunities and resources to address complex needs.
