Two MFAD 2013 Thesis students have been awarded SVA Scholarships for their thesis work. Congratulations to Jenny Rozbruch and Samia Kallidis.

Kallidis’ “Jointly”:
Most of us are familiar with the impact of Hurricane Sandy, after it swept through the city three months ago. Today, there are 42,000 families that are still homeless, and 1,900 homes without heat, power, and water. Locals are getting incredibly frustrated over their lack of control and unmet needs, and having to rely on large, centralized organizations to get absolutely anything done.

Jointly is a platform that helps communities self-organize disaster relief without relying on government institutions. It’s a mobile and desktop app that directly connects disaster victims with skilled volunteers, whether they’re looking for a certified electrician, a plumber, or need someone to drive them to the hospital. It’s a simple and intuitive tool that allows disaster victims to go from “I need help” to “I have a volunteer helping me” quickly and efficiently.

Rozbruch’s “Grey Matters”
GreyMatters is a tablet application that aims to improve quality of life for dementia patients and their caregivers. The app is the first in a larger line of dementia care products that offer cognitive engagement through personalized reminiscence and sensory activities. Through interaction with the iPad, GreyMatters helps to foster feelings of self worth and delight for people with dementia, while also strengthening their connections with loved ones. The app serves as a digital life story book incorporating familiar photos, music, storytelling and games that helps patients to access memories and functioning that still remain, but are difficult to tap into. With a strong belief that a person with dementia is still here and deserves to enjoy meaningful experiences, GreyMatters focuses on utilizing skills that remain rather than highlighting what is lost.