Umergency​ Is Empowering College Students And Parents With Safety

Umergency™ is an emergency, health and safety app designed for college students and their families. The app is customized for over 1,200 colleges and universities, putting the power of information — local emergency services, on-campus resources, trusted contacts, built-in access to national crisis hotlines and more— in the palm of your hand when you need it most.

Gail Schenbaum, co-founder and CEO of Umergency™, experienced a crisis when her daughter was seriously injured while at college, learning the hard way that there was a need for this comprehensive tool. Learn more about Schenbaum's story and the creation of her extremely useful app below:

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town or how long has the organization you represent been around in the community?

Schenbaum: We founded Umergency in 2014. After years investing in research and development to bring our mission to life, we’re excited to launch nationally this fall for back-to-school.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?

Schenbaum: The Umergency mission is so personal for me. And it’s all about ensuring that no college family has to go through an emergency situation unprepared and alone.

Most of us have known a family whose college-aged kid has had a serious health or safety emergency while away at school. This happened to my family, and it was one of the scariest and most helpless experiences of my life. When my daughter was involved in an accident as a college freshman far from home, I learned just how hard it can be for parents to get information, stay connected to their child and be involved in decision-making when every second counts.

After my daughter recovered, I realized how many other college families experience this same helplessness – simply because of what we don’t know and aren’t prepared for. I felt inspired to make a difference for others. My experience as a nonprofit leader in youth safety and founding an organization called In One Instant helped prepare me to develop a new resource for families that could meet this unmet need.

I’m passionate about Umergency because it’s a simple way to give parents peace of mind, while preparing students to advocate for themselves when the unexpected happens.

Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger in five words, what would those words be?

Schenbaum: “Empowering college students and parents.”

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

Schenbaum: Bringing a great idea and an important mission to market is the biggest challenge. Since I don’t come from a tech background, the learning curve was steep for developing a new digital tool. Fortunately, I work with a talented team with a shared passion for supporting families and wide-ranging skill sets. Together we’ve created a resource of real value. But I’ve developed a new respect for people who invent and develop products!

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Schenbaum: The most satisfying part of my job is hearing from students and families who are using the Umergency app. When I hear how grateful they are to have this resource, I rest well knowing that our work is helping others. It’s a tough world to send your kid out into, and a sense of comfort and peace of mind means a lot.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?

Schenbaum: As an all-in-one emergency, health, and safety resource for college families, Umergency is the only app of its kind. It equips college students and their parents to navigate any emergency with the click of a button. We worked with 200 college students and 200 college parents to ensure we had all the resources they wanted in the app.

Umergency is also unique in that it is customized to more than 1,200 colleges and universities nationwide, providing local and on-campus emergency, health and safety resources. And we are uniquely accessible, always free for students and very low-cost for parents and family members.

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?

Schenbaum: Choose a mission you are passionate about, that makes life better for others. Surround yourself with talented people. And never give up!

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about?

Schenbaum: We’re currently rolling out our national college launch, during this back-to-school season when students and families are in transition. And we are bringing on more Campus Ambassadors at colleges nationwide, empowering students to connect with their peers about this resource and about safety issues broadly.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

You can learn more by visiting us on our website where we have posted videos, articles, interviews and TV news segments. And check out our college Ambassadors’ video! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

The Umergency App can be downloaded on Google Play or the App store.

Image Credit: Umergency

This Patch article is sponsored by Umergency