WISE Cities: Where Innovation Supports the Elderly
Addressing social isolation among seniors. Developing an accessible app for local connections. Pilot test funded by City of Fairfax, VA.
Project Description
Founded and run by a team of university students, WISE Cities, LLC yearns to increase the quality of life for seniors by developing easy-to-use tools that allow for social connection.
Motivated by the issues we see affecting our grandparents' generation, we understand that the long-term effects of social isolation are tremendous. And clearly overlooked by our current technological drive, which leaves older adults out entirely.
Your support would give us the ability to continue to work with professional app developers who could help us make the final result worth the months of effort of outreach, design, and user testing. It would also give us the ability to perfect our user interface so that seniors with little experience using apps can have a seamless first experience and become more confident in their ability to use our intuitive app as well as others. Finally, it would mean that we can continue to work closely with cities and engage with their senior communities.
Our core team includes:
- Marie Brodsky (Math & Computer Science student, current intern at MIT Lincoln Lab)
- Amanda Li (Computer Science student, current intern at UMD Breakerspace)
- Amanda Liu (Computer Science student, current intern at GoDaddy)
- Caleb Wheeler (Math & Computer Science student, former intern at Google and NASA)
- Madison Robey (Industrial and Systems Engineering student, working in senior care)
- Sonia Warrior (Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience student, current psychology intern)
As we intensify our efforts, your contribution makes the difference between a small project that quickly fades, and a project that takes off and improves numerous seniors' experiences of life.
We are so appreciative of your support.
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
- How was this company born?
- We pitched our idea during the 2021 Smart City Works "Smart City Challenge", and were then selected by the City of Fairfax to go through with a funded pilot test. This allowed us to get our idea off the ground and turn it into a real project.
- Where will you be focusing your outreach efforts?
- Our initial local engagement has been in the Virginia/Maryland region, but we are excited to expand and work with communities all across the US.
- Who will be able to beta test and use the app?
- Any senior with access to an iPhone will be able to participate in the beta testing process and give us feedback! The app will subsequently be released on the Apple store. Rolling out the Android version is our next step.
- Why are you so motivated about this project?
- It is so cool to work on something that helps the seniors in our lives find new activities and social interactions with zero frustration about the technology.
- What is the meaning of life?
- Ok, that isn't an FAQ we can handle. Let us know if you figure it out.
We will write you a personalized thank you card, and preparing it will make us smile (and hopefully you too). It will also contain a huge invisible, weightless gift within it: our genuine appreciation.
Just Because I Care
We'll highlight your contribution by listing your name on our website! In addition, receive a huge invisible, weightless gift: our genuine appreciation.
We'll give you a sneak peak of our fun team by sending you a personalized video saying thanks! We'll also mail you a mystery gift shortly afterwards. On top of that, you'll receive a huge invisible, weightless gift: our genuine appreciation.
We would really love to hear your input on our project. Hop on a call with us and help shape where we go! Every new interview gives us a stronger grasp on our goals. In addition, receive a huge invisible, weightless gift: our genuine appreciation.
Rewards
We will write you a personalized thank you card, and preparing it will make us smile (and hopefully you too). It will also contain a huge invisible, weightless gift within it: our genuine appreciation.
Just Because I Care
We'll highlight your contribution by listing your name on our website! In addition, receive a huge invisible, weightless gift: our genuine appreciation.
We'll give you a sneak peak of our fun team by sending you a personalized video saying thanks! We'll also mail you a mystery gift shortly afterwards. On top of that, you'll receive a huge invisible, weightless gift: our genuine appreciation.
We would really love to hear your input on our project. Hop on a call with us and help shape where we go! Every new interview gives us a stronger grasp on our goals. In addition, receive a huge invisible, weightless gift: our genuine appreciation.