Yardi is now offering to handle all incoming leads when a client bundles RentCafe Chat IQ with RentCafe CRM IQ. Chat IQ is an artificial intelligence-driven chatbot capable of answering questions instantly through chat, text, email and phone call. With this offer, Chat IQ will automatically connect customers to a dedicated Yardi specialist for assistance if it is unable to answer a question. “Chat IQ has always offered live-agent handoffs, but we’re taking it one step further and offering live agent support directly from Yardi when a client pairs Chat IQ with CRM IQ,” said Richard Malpica, vice president at Yardi. “Chat IQ already responds to over 95 percent of inbound inquiries effectively, but there will still be questions that need human attention. This offer will uphold our promise of automating routines and humanizing exceptions.” Yardi stands out as one of the few multifamily technology providers that currently offer to connect customers to agents. This feature is invaluable for companies with sufficient onsite resources to manage handoffs. However, not all companies have these resources readily available. By integrating Chat IQ with CRM IQ, organizations ensure immediate answers to customer inquiries — ultimately increasing the number of quality leads — even if onsite staff are not available to answer the customer’s questions. “We want to step in for those inevitable inquiries that can’t be answered automatically,” Malpica adds. “This means every question gets answered, every interaction gets documented and everything can be seen from one connected system.” If the Yardi specialist does not have the answer to a question, they will contact the property, relay answers to the customer, then store the response in Chat IQ as a custom intent to answer the question going forward. CRM IQ is a customer relationship management system that provides leasing teams with a clear view of the entire prospect and resident journey. Built to work together, Chat IQ and CRM IQ are complementary solutions that ensure seamless experiences for renters and seamless communication and management for staff. Speak to a representative to learn more about this...

Today, we introduce Achievement Centers for Children (ACC), founded in 1940 in Highland Hills, Ohio, with a mission to empower children and adults with disabilities to achieve their most tremendous potential through holistic and family-focused services. For 83 years, this organization has recognized the importance of recreation for children and adults with diverse abilities. In addition to recreation, they offer a wide range of services to individuals with disabilities and their families in three locations across Northeast Ohio. These locations provide the following services: Educational services, including autism schools at two sites. Family support and advocacy services, including home-based and early intervention services. Therapy services inclusive of physical and mental health Adult services through its day program at Camp Cheerful (circa 1947). All services are eligible to anyone regardless of the ability to pay. Over the years, ACC has adapted its work to meet the changing needs of the children and families they serve. The staff is committed to offering campers and athletes new recreational and sporting opportunities to enrich their lives and increase how they can participate via new adaptive equipment or techniques to improve access to a broader range of recreational experiences. Outdoor summer programs encourage children and adults to develop their confidence, independence and self-esteem in a beautiful setting within the Cleveland Metroparks. “Each year, hundreds of dedicated volunteers provide support, encouragement, and friendship to more than 600 children and adults who enjoy our recreation and sports programs – from day camp to therapeutic horsemanship to adapted sports,” says Susan Christopher, director of marketing and communications at ACC. ACC strives to be consistent for its clients and families. They seek to make their experiences positive and reliable in a world of barriers and irregularity. With the population growing and resources dwindling, especially for low-income families, ACC positions itself to serve the growing families seeking services with a strategic plan they started in August 2022. This three-year roadmap is hope for goals securing the future: Provide sustainable, exceptional and equitable services for children and adults with disabilities and their families. Establish and maintain strong partnerships and alliances that support organizational success and achieve broader systemic change for the health of the community and organization. Maintain a robust infrastructure that fosters a culture of inclusivity, anti-racism, innovation and trust. Funding from Yardi supports the programs and services ACC provides to children and adults with disabilities in Northeast Ohio, including recreational activities at Camp Cheerful. Philanthropic funds are directed to cover gaps in ACC’s budget, as the cost of providing these services is high, reimbursement from third-party payers is minimal, and they do not ask low-income families to pay more than they can for services. Funds are also used to improve sites, directed to maintaining accessibility for all and working to meet and exceed ADA requirements, which can be incredibly challenging in a natural setting like the camp. “Staff, volunteers, and families of Achievement Centers were thrilled to receive this gift from Yardi – it’s through the generosity of individuals and companies such as Yardi that enables our organization to continue to provide robust services to children and families more than 80 years after we were established,” shares Christopher. Camp Cheerful Children and adults enjoy traditional camp activities at Camp Cheerful, including swimming, canoeing, horsemanship, arts & crafts, and nature. “We offer adapted riding sessions in our Therapeutic Horsemanship program and the opportunity for athletes of all abilities to play year-round sports in our Adapted Sports program,” said Christopher. Watch the video of Julia’s story, her therapeutic horsemanship achievements, and footage of the adapted soccer and the kids in action with their volunteer leaders. Volunteer Opportunities ACC relies on corporate groups to help them with upkeep at its three properties, especially the beautiful 52-acre Camp Cheerful campus. Spend a day or a half helping with grounds upkeep and building maintenance projects. Those interested in learning more, please get in...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. Today, we introduce Front Steps Housing & Services organization, founded in 1986 in Cleveland, Ohio. This organization is a member of the Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services Continuum of Care and has over 35 years of experience working with homeless individuals in the county as transitional and permanent housing. Front Steps has served more than 4,000 clients with a 98% success rate during this time. Since opening its doors in 1986, they have developed a broad array of services to serve chronically homeless individuals and community members at risk of homelessness. Services include: Case Management Employment and Training Intensive Outpatient Program  Community Support Services  Behavioral Health Counseling   Prevention Services   Music and Art Therapies   Front Steps has been recognized as an organization guided by internationally recognized service standards and best practices by the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for: Case Management/Services Coordination: Mental Health (adults) Community Housing: Mental Health (adults) Outpatient Treatment: Integrated: AOD/MH (adults) Community Employment Services: Employment Supports Front Steps has also been certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OMHAS) to operate an outpatient alcohol and drug addiction program and has been approved to offer the following behavioral/mental health services: Behavioral Health Counseling & Therapy Employment/Vocational Referral and Information Community Psychiatric Support Treatment Mental Health Assessment Art Therapy Today, these services are needed on a broader scale for the aging, underserved communities that are facing barriers of systemic disparities. “We continue to respond to the call for housing assistance and behavioral health services desperately needed in this post-pandemic world. Our hands-on staff is second to none, offering life-changing support and one-on-one counseling to our residents and individuals in our community,” said Matthew Anderson, development director for Front Steps. Front Steps hopes to expand its reach in Greater Cleveland and broaden its presence with a campus including a women’s recovery center, sober living, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and health and wellness programs. “Help us realize these dreams by creating a safe haven for people recovering from a life of pain, suffering and intolerance,” Anderson shares. Funding from Yardi will help Front Steps achieve behavioral outreach efforts to serve individuals needing health services. It will allow them to enhance the case management treatment and connect with more individuals throughout the region. These therapy areas include: Mental Health Substance Abuse Music Therapy Art Therapy Horticultural Therapy “We’re ecstatic, not only for the financial support but for the relationship we’ve built with the Yardi Systems family over the past couple of years,” exclaimed Anderson. He continued, “We can’t say thank you enough for believing in our core value: to transform the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness.  Thank you for your faith in Front Steps, and thank you for believing in our commitment to serving as an inclusive, equitable and accessible organization where everyone can realize their full potential.” James C. Venture James found his way to Front Steps after suffering a deep-rooted substance abuse and mental health diagnosis after a stint in the military. This resulted in angry outbursts, isolation and related behavioral health issues. He became an overwhelming burden to himself and his family. After arriving at Front Steps, James discovered his voice and self-expression through counseling with Life Skills coordinator Denise Jackson. Today, still overcoming his barriers, he’s an example for others and exhibits pride and self-assurance through his work in the community garden. (pictured here). Volunteer Opportunities Front Steps offers plenty of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. From sorting clothes to organizing its food pantry, they have various jobs inside and out. For those interested, please get in touch with Matthew Anderson at [email protected]. “We are passionate, dedicated, and unwavering in our commitment to provide essential wrap-around services that help our clients...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. Today, we introduce Family Promise of Greater Cleveland, OH, founded in 2011. Though headquarters is in Summit, New Jersey, this location operates independently. Family Promise is a family homeless shelter and supportive services for up to 21 families in a former elementary school building in Cleveland’s Mt. Pleasant neighborhood. The agency serves an average of 75 families that consist of 200 individuals each year. Most of them are children with an average age of four with younger parents. The homeless families served by Family Promise are received through active participation in Cuyahoga County’s Coordinated Intake. Families will stay in the shelter for an average of 12 weeks, receiving all the basic needs such as food, clothing, cleaning supplies and access to medical care. Immediately after a family enters a shelter, a case manager conducts a thorough assessment to determine the family’s housing options, benefits eligibility, employment readiness and life skills level. “The case manager then works with each family to develop a plan for housing, employment and long-term stability,” said Connie Sievers, grants and communications manager for Family Promise. They assist the parents by: Searching for affordable housing. Help them to secure an income/employment. Link them to needed medical, mental health and legal services. Ensures children’s needs are met with school and daycare services. All families are also offered Employment Services: Job readiness by eliminating any challenges. Develop and implement job plans. Assistance with resumes Job searching and interview skills. Finding business-appropriate clothing. “They also provide interested clients with links to workforce development programs and educational opportunities,” Sievers explained. Once a family transitions to a permanent home, they will continue to receive case management treatment through Family Promise’s Community Stabilization Program for at least one year to help them maintain their housing and not return to homelessness. “Family Promise’s consistently positive outcomes speak to the effectiveness of its services. In 2022, 100% of positive housing outcomes were achieved with 90% remaining housed upon case closing,” shared Sievers. Family Promise’s core services are growing and expanding its efforts to help address its client’s mental health. Training by The Sanctuary Institute with its evidence-based Sanctuary Model for trauma-informed care began in October 2020 and is ongoing. In addition, Family Promise has also increased its community awareness and taken steps to diversify its revenue sources. Funding from Yardi helps Family Promise’s shelter and supportive services, including occupancy costs and salaries for direct staff. “These two large expenses are key to the help we provide for homeless families, and funding from corporations like Yardi is vital to their continuation,” Sievers shared. She continued, “We are so grateful! The staff was thrilled about the unexpected support and knew it would go a long way to help with their work with homeless families. Many great non-profits were represented in the presentation to Yardi employees, so it was a wonderful surprise to be chosen.” Dina’s Journey Dina and her 13-year-old daughter found themselves homeless after their landlord sold the building they were living in, and the new owner did not want anyone residing on the premises. They first tried living at Dina’s mother’s house, though the conditions were inadequate. Dina had considered seeking services to help her, but her pride wouldn’t let her. Then, a violent confrontation occurred between family members at her mother’s house, and she knew she had to leave the property to keep her daughter safe. Dina contacted Coordinated Intake and was referred to Family Promise. She and her daughter didn’t know what to expect and were nervous, but the staff soon helped her to feel comfortable and safe in their living unit. They ensured that all their essential needs were met and the daughter could remain in the same school she had been attending....

Ready to effectively manage your community wellness programs? With RentCafe Wellness for senior living, you’re equipped with online activity calendars, attendance tracking and real-time information sharing — all accessible on a single platform — making it easy to optimize your wellness initiatives.  Learn how RentCafe Wellness will take your wellness programs to the next level (and benefit your staff, residents and their families) in our infographic below. Schedule activities Manage RSVPs from residents and family members Flag registrations as required or optional and set fees as needed Track resident attendance and monitor changes in behavior Forecast staffing needs for each activity Create digital calendars Share calendars on your community’s RentCafe website and via RentCafe Senior Living Portal Offer a single calendar per community or multiple calendars categorized by care Easily designate which details remain consistent and which vary month to month Download and print calendars to display across your community Empower staff Unlock intuitive dashboards equipped with KPIs Generate analytic reports to assess an activity’s impact Plan and execute follow-up care using activity wellness information Save time thanks to simplified workflows Offer convenience Enable residents and families to sign up for activities, manage registrations and more from RentCafe Senior Living Portal and the mobile app Allow residents and responsible parties to submit monthly payments for paid wellness activities with Payment Processing Keep family members in the loop with real-time information sharing Ensure residents’ wellbeing is continuously monitored Help everyone stay connected from anywhere Learn more about RentCafe Wellness Let’s enhance your wellness programs together. Check out the full RentCafe Wellness infographic then select get in touch to schedule a personalized demo! Want to see RentCafe Wellness in action today? Watch this on-demand webinar....

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. In 2022, Yardi offices supported more than 350 nonprofits worldwide. For the remainder of the year, we will bring you the stories of those organizations and insight into how they aid their communities. Today, we introduce The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), founded in 1949 in Rye Brook, New York, impacting the cancer community. LLS is the world’s largest voluntary nonprofit health organization that funds blood cancer research and provides education and patient services. Since 1949, LLS has invested nearly $1.6 billion in groundbreaking research, pioneering many of today’s most innovative approaches. “We work tirelessly to find cures and ensure patients can access the lifesaving treatments they need. When someone experiences the fear and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis, we provide hope, compassion, education and support,” said Becca Gregory, campaign development director for LLS. LLS is starting a new project called The Dare to Dream Project—a new phase for the Children’s Initiative. LLS recognizes kids are different, and their blood cancers must be treated differently, so they hope to change the standard of treatment and care for pediatric blood cancers. LLS has funded the first-ever pediatric AML Data Commons. This platform ensures consistency in global data reporting—and launched the first-ever acute leukemia LLS PedAL Master Clinical Trial, matching patients to treatment based on their cancer’s unique tumor biology. “Our dream is to help as many children as possible get treatment for their cancer. We’re daring to improve the quality of life for every child with blood cancer, daring to dream of them thriving. And we’re just getting started,” exclaims Gregory! Funding from Yardi helps support research, education, policy and advocacy. LLS is committed to providing information, resources and support to those affected by blood cancers. Offerings include: LLS Scholarship for Blood Cancer Survivors Financial Support Food and Nutrition LLS Podcast Support Groups Caregiver Support “We are so grateful for the amazing support we are receiving from Yardi,” says Gregory. “It will truly make a difference in the lives of our patients!” Making a Difference The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has made a tremendous difference in the community, and its advocates sent more than 33,900 letters to lawmakers in 2022. Nationwide, they have helped patients all over. In Minnesota, LLS led a coalition whose efforts resulted in a new state law making drug copays more affordable. In the Cleveland market just last year, LLS had 950 patients who received $9,190,000 financial assistance through the Co-Pay Assistance Program. After hundreds of meetings and thousands of letters from LLS advocates, congress passed the landmark Childhood Cancer STAR Reauthorization Act, which LLS helped write. The law expands opportunities for children’s cancer research, including survivorship research. Education and Services served 2,166 patient households in the Cleveland market. Some services are not accessible for some patients. However, LLS helped to make clinical trials more accessible. 66 patients in the state of Ohio received $33,000 in financial assistance through local travel assistance programs. LLS helped secure landmark policies enabling more patients—including underrepresented—to access treatments. Trial sponsors will now be accountable for diversity targets, and patients should have access to trial services closer to home. And in New York and California, LLS has generated momentum for a successful passage, ensuring millions have in-network access to top cancer centers. Thus ensuring robust provider networks. Volunteer Opportunities LLS always seeks volunteers for event days and the Light The Night event. If interested, please get in touch with [email protected]. Find future non-profit profiles...

Yardi’s affordable housing compliance expertise got a big boost this summer. Mary Beth Snyder joined the team in a new role of Verification Services Industry Principal, and her work history is sure to make an impact. Prior to joining Yardi, Mary Beth spent eight years at Equifax® working in the government segment on eligibility verification for government benefit programs. Her duties included managing Equifax’s The Work Number® product, which verifies employment and income of households applying for government benefit programs such as housing assistance, child support, workforce agencies and unemployment insurance. That experience is particularly valuable as Mary Beth transitions to her leadership role on the Yardi Verification Services product team. Yardi Verification Services is an affordable housing compliance solution that verifies the income and assets of households seeking to qualify for a unit. Let’s get to know more about Mary Beth. Mary Beth, where do you call home? I live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri which is approximately two hours south of St. Louis. Beyond your work with Equifax, what is your history in the affordable housing industry? I’ve worked in affordable housing for years promoting the benefits of automating eligibility verification. I’ve been a member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), and have presented during conference sessions as well as writing posts for the NAHRO blog. I’m thrilled with my new opportunity here at Yardi and look forward to continuing my advocacy for those needing housing assistance and the community of housing assistance providers. What benefits do the affordable housing providers you support bring to their communities? Affordable housing providers are critical to the growth and development of the community they serve. A decent and affordable place to live helps families and those who are disadvantaged by freeing them from physical and mental hardships, placing them on a path to success and growth for themselves and future generations. A quote that resonates with my thoughts comes from a sociologist named Matthew Desmond who said, “Housing is absolutely essential to human flourishing. Without stable shelter, it all falls apart”. Have affordable housing resources affected the lives of you or your family? Yes. My brother and sister-in-law are both learning disabled and receive social security disability insurance and other government benefit programs to help them live independently. They currently live in market rate housing with the support of a roommate, but in the future may need to seek out an affordable housing unit. Filling out government forms and getting documentation ready to submit to qualify for government benefits is often frustrating for them. Luckily, they have me to step in and help – not everyone has that kind of support. And I totally understand and share their frustration. I have similar trouble sometimes understanding what the various forms are requesting. What do you think could help simplify the process for affordable housing and other program applicants? My philosophy has always been don’t require applicants or tenants to provide documentation that can be easily found with automated data. Instead, programs should take the burden off those who are disadvantaged and use automated data to complete forms required for eligibility. Automating verifications would save agencies time and money while improving customer support and assistance. That sounds like a big process improvement. Is there a Yardi product that can help achieve that level of simplicity? Yes. Yardi Verification Services automates the way affordable housing providers and public housing authorities verify the income and assets of their applicants. What are the benefits of Yardi Verification Services? Eliminating the stack of forms to fill out is a win-win for both applicants, compliance specialists and site staff, because there are no more back-and-forth requests for information. That type of work takes so much time away from affordable housing and PHA staff and frustrates the applicant or tenant, so Yardi Verification Services really helps streamline the process. Up to 90% of income and...

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. In 2022, Yardi offices supported more than 350 nonprofits worldwide. For the remainder of the year, we will bring you the stories of those organizations and insight into how they aid their communities. Let’s journey to Ohio and introduce the Cleveland Zoological Society, founded in 1957. This nonprofit partners with the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, sharing a joint mission of creating compelling experiences that connect people with wildlife and inspire personal responsibility for conserving the natural world. They provide funding for all areas of the Zoo, including conservation, animal care and education, while providing program opportunities that feature engagement and interpretation for Northeast Ohio. “We work to create accessibility and awareness within and around our community, bringing intrinsic motivation to those who support this long-standing asset,” said Stephanie Kesselem, philanthropic officer for Cleveland Zoological Society. The Cleveland Zoo Society is embarking on a transformational – and one of its kind – Primate Forest project that will advance the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as a world-class STEM science, education and research institution. This Forest will create innovative and interactive guest experiences while strengthening the position of the Zoo as one of the most notable tourist destinations in the Great Lakes region and beyond. This 90,000 square-foot, world-class primate habitat will add to the existing Rainforest space while bringing to the forefront Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s standing as an international leader in gorilla research and better connect and promote the Zoo’s two-decade-long relationship with Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. “We need as much support as possible to upgrade our Great Ape habitats to not only maintain our habitat standards but to exceed them,” said Kesselem. Gorilla Research Efforts Funding from Yardi has helped the Cleveland Zoological Society prioritize animal care needed to ensure the animals stay happy, healthy and thrive. The Cleveland Zoo is internationally recognized for its gorilla research efforts, the most prominent being the specialized gorilla diet. The Zoo’s gorilla troop eats sixty pounds of greens daily, plus five pounds of green beans, alfalfa, and fresh browse. “With Yardi’s donation, we can feed our entire gorilla troop of four adult females, one alpha male, one ½-year-old boy, and our 3-week-old baby girl for two months. Sixty days of food security for an entire troop” expressed Kesselem. She continued, “The generous support from the Yardi team was beyond appreciated. The opportunity to come out and present to your employee base was a unique way to see your staff engaged and involved in their community decisions. It speaks to the personal – and community – accountability that Yardi strives to instill in its people. We could thank you a million times over!” Volunteer Opportunities While the Cleveland Zoological Society does not have its own volunteer process, it works to support the Zoo’s direct volunteer efforts. The Zoo always looks for a more hands-on deck to help with animal welfare, observations and guest experiences. If you’re interested in learning more about it, please get in touch with [email protected]. “While the Zoo may be a point of nostalgia for so many, it truly serves as a conservation-based agency that allows a window to the world for those who would otherwise never get the chance to see this wildlife up close. If you’re interested in visiting, learning more about all the amazing updates we are making, or have a passion for conservation – I’d be happy to talk more,” gushed Kesselem. Find future non-profit profiles...