Across the country, one type of company is becoming more and more prominent in all major cities: nonprofits. Workplaces are being transformed by this newer and trendier type of office. Millennials graduating college are flocking toward these businesses with a focus on social responsibility. And what better thing to do with a college degree than help make the world a better place? My sister, Taylor, recently graduated from DePaul University with a degree in marketing. She started as an intern, and is now working as the Marketing Lead at the company mRelief. mRelief is a nonprofit startup based out of Chicago, Ill. Founded by Geneieve Nielsen and Rose Afriyie, the two started this company in order to transform the process of social service delivery across America.
The company began when the founders met at coding school and had the idea to make social services more accessible by utilizing computers and text messaging. Founder and Chief Technical Officer, Genevieve Nielsen shared, "At mRelief, we are trying to build technology to help vulnerable people access social services and organizations who seek to assist them. With an emphasis on people who lack easy access to the Internet, we are trying to leverage the power of accessible technology for increasing social impact." mRelief is working to help those in need by building online and text messaging tools to aid people in determining their eligibility for programs such as Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or Emergency Rental Assistance or Early Learning Finder Programs.
mRelief works with program providers and city governments to help those who need it most. They allow service providers to reach their full potential by connecting them to a greater number of people that can benefit from their programs. mRelief has created screeners for people to use rather than waiting in lines at government buildings. It will reduce the long wait times by prescreening individuals so those who are eligible know where to go to access these resources and can come prepared with the necessary documents. Those who are not eligible are then directed to other community resources such as food pantries. It is increasing discoverability of social services so that available resources offered by the government and other organizations are not left unused. The goal of this company is not to maximize profit, but to help the government more effectively use the budgets they already have to maximize aid for those who qualify.
mRelief is trying to change the way social services and public benefits are approached to make the process as efficient as possible, while still maintaining the dignity of those in need. Within its first two years of founding, it has been widely successful and continues to grow and help those in need. They are helping the residents of Chicago and spreading to more cities across America. mRelief is just one of many companies, utilizing technology in ways never before explored to help those in need. Technology companies with a strong sense of social responsibility are arguably the future of business and our country's well-being. I remember very distinctly one of my high school teachers telling me teachers are preparing students for jobs that do not yet exist. I didn't know if I believed that until I realized my sister during her education didn't expect to work at a nonprofit company that works closely with the government to utilize its resources simply because this company had not yet been founded.
Learn more here and connect with mRelief on Facebook and Twitter.
