Still Growing Up

Inspired by the Green Bronx Machine, we bring kids and seniors

together through tech education and community gardening.

Located in California-Kirkbride, we partnered with Project Destiny

to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children and
seniors alike.

Children are rewarded for their service through a social currency,

which can be spent in the local area.
ADDRESSING PITTSBURGH’S INEQUITIES
INFRASTRUCTURE: LACK OF INTERNET ACCESS
COVID-19 pushed many of our
communities into an online
setting. Those who still had jobs
set up home office spaces and
students adjusted to remote
learning. However, there were
also communities that failed to
gain access to these online
communities.
The top reasons for this discrepancy was identified as the following:
1. Lack of internet access
2. Lack of equipment
3. Lack of technological knowledge
COMMUNITY-BUILDING: SOCIAL ISOLATION
Combined with online
accessibility issues and
social distancings
recommended during the
pandemic, seniors were one
of the most affected age
group for social isolation.
Seniors and kids in Pittsburgh’s
underserved communities were
left behind with no support. At-
home internet usage on average
FOOD SYSTEMS: FOOD INSECURITY
increased dramatically around
Pittsburgh, but only by a margin for The consequences of the pandemic
these communities. such as job loss and school closures
amplified food security issues across all
age groups. There were many
organizations that helped but had issues
with sustainability.
WHAT WE DO
GATHERING SPACE
Still Growing Up utilizes office spaces
that became vacant post-pandemic
and turned them into a local
community learning center.
We provide free internet access and
serve as a gathering space for the
local community.
GROWING TOGETHER
There are long-term projects such
as the community garden. The
garden was built by and is
maintained by the community - it
instills a sense of responsibility and
strengthens the community.
Having a local food source helps
the community toward adversities -
should another pandemic hits.
STAYING HEALTHY THROUGH GARDENING
Gardening is known to have many health benefits, such as
● increases levels of physical activity, mobility, and flexibility
● helps prevent diseases like osteoporosis
● provides stimulation and interest in nature and the outdoors
● improves wellbeing as a result of social interaction
● May reduce the risk of dementia
● Relieves stress and anxiety
● Improved immune system

LEARNING TOGETHER SOCIAL CURRENCY

We have weekly and monthly events where local seniors and As an incentive for seniors, kids, and local community members to participate, Still
kids team up and work on hands-on tech project. Local Growing Up has our own social currency. You can earn social points in various
community members can participate to host workshops and ways such as completing projects, participating in events, maintaining the
classes too.. gardening, and much more!

Robotic toys: assembling robotic toy kits to learn mechanics The currency can be used in participating stores around Pittsburgh. This is a way
and electronics (e.g., Legos, Arduino) for our community members to support each other through local social activities.

Photo editing: learning image processing by taking photos

together and applying filters
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

JUST THE BEGINNING

We started as a small project in a small

city. However, we have been
tremendously successful in our short
history. Our hope is to be an inspiration
to communities all over the world to
bring underserved peoples together and
create positive change through
technology and gardening.

The best is yet to come.