Vancouver non-profit with ties to Whistler wins $750,000 Google award

A Vancouver business with ties in Whistler has won a Google Award.

It was announced this week that PeaceGeeks won the Google Impact Challenge that gives $750,000 to a non-profit. PeaceGeeks who’s core team is made up of three people and volunteers were up against 900 other non-profits, including big names such as the Canadian Red Cross and Canada Food Banks.

The money will go towards an app developed by the company called ‘Service Adviser’. Whistler based Anita Naidu, Engineer and Head of Business Development at PeaceGeeks says the app allows immigrants to get direct access to services that they might not know exists; “This app provides a digital road map for refugees and immigrants to Canada, so it allows them to get direct access to services”.

Initially the app was to be deployed in metro Vancouver, now with the $750,000 funds from Google the app will be made available for all communities across Canada.

The company released the app in Jordan two years ago where they serviced 600,000 refugees according to Naidu. They were then asked to deploy it in Somali and Turkey. “As global situations started to change, and as other countries started to change their boarders it became increasingly important to us as Canadians that we start addressing this issue. So bringing it to Canada seemed like the natural step.” said Naidu.