A voice line on the inside, a web hub on the outside.
Two very different experiences, joined by one shared connection. Each side gets the tools that suit where they actually are — a telephone in a facility, and a browser anywhere else.
Who does what, and where
The inside and the outside get different tools, because they are in very different places — a phone in a facility, and a browser anywhere else. They connect to each other through NearestKin.
Inside Community Member — by voice, on the phone
Once connected to their Voice Connection Hub, the spoken system tells them about new messages, calls, invitations and account activity, then asks what they would like to do. Using spoken commands they can:
- Send and receive text messages.
- Send and receive voice messages.
- Call their contacts.
- Receive calls while actively connected to the system.
- Create text and voice posts for their public profile.
- Update and manage their profile.
- Make their public profile private.
- Manage contacts and connection invitations.
- Hear notifications and account information.
- Ask Stacy questions and request assistance.
Family and friends — in the Online Connection Hub
After setup, the Inside Community Member can send connection invitations to family members, friends and loved ones.
The invited person creates a free Outside User account in the Online Connection Hub and becomes one of their contacts. From there you exchange text and voice messages, and take part in calls through NearestKin.
That gives both of you flexibility. Messages can be sent and picked up around each person’s day rather than requiring you both to be free at the same moment — and when you are both available, you can connect with a real-time call.
Your Personal Connection Hub
The Inside Community Member’s access point works entirely by voice, guided step by step.
They call the NearestKin access number from a facility telephone, speak their NearestKin Member ID, and speak a four-digit PIN. From there the Hub speaks to them and they answer out loud. There is nothing to tap, no app to install, and no internet needed on their side.
The Inside Community Member does everything by voice
The Voice Connection Hub is fully voice-driven. The system speaks, and the member answers by saying what they want to do. No keypad presses are required anywhere in the Voice Connection Hub.
Meet Stacy
Stacy is the AI assistant available through the Inside Community Member’s Voice Connection Hub. Using only their voice, they can ask Stacy questions, search for information on the web, learn about unfamiliar subjects, receive explanations, draft messages and other written material, organize their thoughts, and complete everyday information tasks.
Stacy is not intended to replace family members, friends, or personal relationships. She gives the Inside Community Member another way to find information and handle routine tasks on their own.
That means your conversations no longer have to be taken up with requests to look something up, explain a subject, draft something, or track down information. Families can spend more of their limited time talking about their lives, offering encouragement, planning for the future, and keeping the relationship going.
More independence for them. More quality time for you.
A profile, not just a phone call
An Inside Community Member can keep a public profile — who they are, their interests, their goals, and what they are working toward. They control what it shows, they build it by voice, and they can make it private at any time.
The Online Connection Hub
One place on the web for messages, calls, and everything to do with the relationship and the account. Family, friends and supporters sign in and stay in one persistent place — send and read messages, keep the Connection Account funded, manage an Inside Community Member’s profile where you are permitted to, and pick up where you left off without hunting through separate pages.
Why we built it like this
Every choice here comes back to the same question: what does it actually take for a family to stay a family while someone is away?
Connection helps people come home
Staying close to family and friends is one of the strongest things tied to hope, accountability, and a steadier return home. That is the whole reason NearestKin exists.
Built for real schedules
Life is busy, calls get missed, and free time rarely lines up. Messages wait for whoever is ready, so one conversation can carry across two very different days.
They can handle more on their own
With a profile they manage, their own account information, and Stacy to help, an Inside Community Member can take care of routine things themselves — so your time together is not spent running errands for them.
Everyone deserves to be seen
A public profile lets someone share who they are — their interests, goals, and what they are working toward — and gives people on the outside a real way to reach out.
A wider circle helps
Family, close friends, and supporters all add to a stronger network around someone — during their time inside, and after they come home.
The technology stays out of the way
The less anyone has to think about the software, the more of the time goes to the relationship. That is the goal on both sides.
Our mission
To build the nation’s most trusted people-first connection platform — creating stronger relationships, stronger communities, and better outcomes through meaningful connection.
Connection Changes Everything.
Built Around People
Everything here is designed around real schedules, real phone access, and real people — including people who use a screen reader or navigate by voice. Availability can depend on facility rules, phone access, carrier availability, account status, and platform settings.
Ready to Get Started?
Choose the path that fits why you are here, and we will take you straight to it.