Friends From The City exists to solve a critical problem: millions of people struggle to access essential government services through outdated, confusing digital systems. When the pandemic hit in 2020, these failures became impossible to ignore - vaccine scheduling sites crashed, benefits portals failed, and the people who needed help most faced the steepest barriers. Founded by former federal employees Lapedra Tolson, a veteran and service-connected disability recipient who experiences these barriers firsthand, and Tamara Tolson, the company brings insider knowledge of how government systems work and why they fall short.
Friends From The City partners with federal and state agencies to build accessible, user-centered digital services that work for everyone - because accessing healthcare, benefits, and essential services should never feel impossible. Their work has already impacted millions: 2 million+ veterans applying for benefits through streamlined forms, 30,000+ veterans resolving debt through simplified online portals, 80,000+ post-release check-ins managed through intuitive systems, and 570,000+ clinicians navigating quality reporting on sites built for clarity. The team approaches every project by starting with people's real needs, asking questions before proposing solutions, and building government capacity to sustain the work long-term.