Business graduate launches app to aid the community and those returning from incarceration

Even with an abundance of resources available in the Lynchburg, Va., community as a whole, those reentering from incarceration face unique difficulties. Liberty University business management alumnus Patrick Monetti (’15) felt something was missing on the organizational front to streamline access to those resources.

The Blue Ridge Re-entry Council, founded by Monetti’s father, Steven Monetti, 11 years ago, provides former inmates with housing assistance, clothes, food, counseling, employment, and more. But Patrick Monetti recognized another demand — a mobile app to help people navigate these valuable resources in one place.

“Communication is a very big factor in getting back into society,” said Monetti, 34, who believes networking to be the most difficult aspect. “There are many resources available in Lynchburg; the trick is to find the right agency to assist with your particular need.”

The Blue Ridge Re-entry Council is a forum for all agencies, individuals, and faith-based groups who have a mission to reduce recidivism by helping formerly incarcerated individuals make a smooth transition. Members include case managers, mental health professionals, interested citizens, and nonprofit volunteers who represent a cross section of regional human services professionals.

Monetti created an app, called Resource-Full, over a three-year period and commissioned other Liberty alumni, including Aaron Borsay to program the app’s interface and Corey Knapp to design icons that correspond to specific services provided by the council as well as other local resources. Users can also access the appropriate contacts for each need. Monetti wanted the app to be simple in design and function.

Monetti said his business degree from Liberty has helped him with the app’s creation, particularly on the management side of app development. He encourages other Liberty students and alumni to use their chosen vocation to impact others in their communities, believing that every discipline has aspects that can be used for ministry.

“No matter what degree you have, you can still make a difference in peoples’ lives,” Monetti said. “My degree is in business management and many aspects of my degree helped me organize these resources and create this app.”

Liberty’s business administration program is offered both residentially and online, with areas of study in communications, digital marketing and advertising, economics, entrepreneurship, and more.

Resource-Full is available for download on Android devices. The app will be available in the Apple Store in late March. To see the app in action, click here.