For youth experiencing homelessness, staying connected is a vital need. Cell phones are essential for job applications, waiting lists for housing, coordinating services and staying linked to family and friends.
But Brian K Young, community relations coordinator for Youth Services of Tulsa, said there are few places in Tulsa, Okla., where people experiencing homelessness can charge their phones.
“It is a need,” said Brian. “It might not seem like a huge need to a lot of people, but it is. Anything we can do to keep these kids connected to their families and other support systems is beneficial. And in today’s increasingly technological world, cell phones are a key component to keeping kids connected to services.”
Classroom Projects Lead to Real World Solutions
Youth Services of Tulsa needed charging outlets, and the EWB-USA University of Tulsa Chapter was working on a technology that could help the organization and the youth they serve.
Chapter members Michael Feng, Elisabeth Loe, Nate Sanders, Shuyu Tian and Haley Williams carried out this sustainable project through EWB-USA’s Community Engineering Corps, a program that serves communities across the U.S.
They opted for a solar system and placed the charging station outside. This meant teens could access it beyond normal business hours. It features an acrylic rain-resistant cover to help protect it from inclement weather.
“With solar, you can make a small-scale application that can really help solve a need for the community,” Elisabeth said.
Brian said the charging station helps promote self-sufficiency and prevent future homeless periods.
“I see people out there using it,” said Brian. “It’s just one more service we can provide, and it makes the kids’ lives a little more convenient.”
Partnerships and Motivations
Brian said he was impressed by the
engineering services that the EWB-USA University of Tulsa Chapter team provided.
“We had a fantastic experience with EWB and got to work with interesting, incredibly intelligent and creative individuals essentially serving their peers,” says Brian.
The team feels the same admiration for Youth Services of Tulsa. When they hit obstacles, such as kinks in the circuit design, the humanitarian aspects of the project motivated them to continue.
“Every time I drive down Third Street, I look at the project and point out Youth Services,” said Elisabeth. “I’m really proud of the project.”
Building on their success, the team plans to pitch their innovation to the Red Cross. By using a more compact, portable and durable design, first responders will be able to have electricity in areas where the power grid is damaged by natural disasters.