RealResponse Expands Its Impact Beyond College Athletics in Charlotte
In the vibrant city of Charlotte, an innovative company named RealResponse is making waves with its unique communication system aimed at enhancing safety and support for students. Founded in 2015 by former college basketball player David Chadwick, RealResponse initially focused on providing a fast, safe, and anonymous way for college athletes to report issues like abusive behavior and mental health struggles. Today, it’s branching out and expanding its mission to other sectors, including Greek life and youth scouting.
From College Sports to Broader Communities
Chadwick had a vision of creating a platform that catered not just to athletes, but to all students on campus facing various challenges. With proactive measures in mind, he said, “As we began to expand beyond our college sports roots, one of the first areas of focus was leveraging our platform beyond student-athletes into the broader campus ecosystem.” This means tackling everything from student conduct to addressing issues like hazing and Title IX complaints. It’s an ambitious goal, but one that is very much needed in today’s educational institutions.
New Partnerships Fuel Growth
RealResponse recently welcomed two significant clients that will help propel its growth even further. The first is the national fraternity Pi Kappa Phi, and the second is the Boy Scouts of America, which will soon rebrand itself as Scouting America. Both organizations have faced scrutiny in the past regarding safety protocols, and they are now poised to benefit from RealResponse’s anonymous reporting tools.
“Fraternities and youth scouting have both endured widely publicized safety lapses over the years, prompting reform and updated policies,” Chadwick noted. The new partnership with Pi Kappa Phi saw their portal launch this month, allowing for much quicker and more effective communication regarding questions, concerns, or reports from its members across the organization’s 162 chapters in the U.S.
The User-Friendly Platform
The appeal of RealResponse’s platform lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. It provides a secure way for students and members to communicate sensitive information anonymously. “This makes a lot of sense for our Greek members,” Chadwick explained, adding that they already have several other fraternities and sororities in the pipeline. “We look forward to working with them to broaden our impact.”
Child Safety with Scouting America
For Scouting America, RealResponse represents a renewed commitment to child safety. As Chadwick pointed out, “Kudos to them for putting a new focus on child safety and reporting. I think they were really excited about our platform.” With scouting being largely composed of younger children and adolescents, the integration of technology for reporting issues is particularly important. Texts and QR codes will be part of this new monitoring system, which is tailored to suit the comfort level of its young users.
A Growing Company with Big Plans
As RealResponse gears up for expansion, its current team of 13 employees is well-equipped to handle the needs of these new clients without the immediate need for additional hiring. The organizations that partner with RealResponse primarily oversee and respond to member communications, leveraging the platform to identify potential problems sooner rather than later.
The Bigger Picture
This growth not only illustrates the increasing focus on safety and mental health in educational environments but also reflects a cultural shift towards embracing technology as a means for communication and support. With an estimated 750,000 undergraduate fraternity and sorority members across 800 campuses in the U.S. and Canada, the potential for RealResponse to expand its influence and make a significant positive impact is immense.
As the company continues to develop relationships with more organizations eager to prioritize safety, it’s clear that RealResponse is on the forefront of a critical movement. By creating a culture of reporting and support, they aim to change lives for the better, one message at a time.
