PRIDEsAFE
PRIDESAFE
Creating a safer and supportive community for the lgbtq youths in foster care.
Timeline
2023/06 —— 2024/09
Project Type
Social Impact Design
Product Design
App Design
Contribution
Individual Work
Tools
Arduino
Figma
PURPOSE
The PrideSafe project was launched to tackle the specific challenges faced by LGBTQ youth in foster care. These individuals often encounter increased levels of isolation, discrimination, and mental health struggles due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. My goal is to develop a solution that not only improves their physical safety but also nurtures a sense of belonging and community. By offering a discreet and effective way to seek help in emergencies and connect with supportive peers and resources, PrideSafe aims to reduce the risks and emotional burden associated with being an LGBTQ youth in the foster care system. This project is based on the belief that every young person deserves to feel safe, accepted, and supported, regardless of their background or identity.
FaCTS
Foster Care
LGBTQ Youth Over - Represented
As of 2021, there were around 391,000 children in foster care. Over 54,000 children were adopted from the child welfare system. However, approximately 9% of youth aged out of foster care without finding a permanent family, often face significant challenges such as homelessness and lack of support.
The percentage of youth in foster care who are LGBTQ+ identified is larger than the percentage of LGBTQ+ youth in the general youth population. More than one out of three youths (34.1%) ages 13-20 in New York City foster care identify as LGBTQ+.
Not Adopted
66%
Adopted
25%
Aged Out
9%
LGBTQ in
Foster Care
LGBTQ in
General Population
Transgender in Foster Care
Transgender in General Population
National Council For Adoption
Child Welfare Information Gateway
NYC Children
13.6%
7.2%
5.6%
2.3%
Children in foster care
Vs
Children in normal families
Foster care children often face placement instability.
Stable environment impacts emotional and psychological well-being.
Lack of stable emotional support and may feel insecure or uncomfortable.
Generally receive consistent parental supporting.
Frequent school changes and academic challenges.
Usually experience uninterrupted education.
May not always meet the full spectrum of needs.
Often have better financial security, supporting their overall development.
LGBtq youth in foster care
STATUS QUO
34.1%
youth in the foster system identify as LGBTQ+.
2.50X
more likely to be in a group home rather than a family.
2X
more likely to face mistreatment.
Research shows that LGBTQ youth are more than twice as likely as their non-LGBTQ peers to report being treated poorly by the foster care system.
78% of LGBTQ youth were removed or ran away from their foster placements as a result of hostility toward their sexual orientation or gender identity.
100% of LGBTQ youth in group homes reported verbal harassment.
70% of LGBTQ youth reported physical violence in group homes.
"
I was told that foster families didn’t want a gay kid in their home, so I grew up in group homes and residential centers where I was abused sexually, physically and emotionally.
"
- Kristopher Sharp
Eight years in foster care
Source
Lack of legal protection
Only 13 states and the District of Columbia have explicit laws or policies in place to protect foster youth from discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. Seven additional states explicitly protect foster youth from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation but not gender identity.
States with Foster Care Non-Discrimination Laws or Policies Inclusive of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
States with Foster Care Non-Discrimination Laws or Policies Inclusive of Sexual Orientation Only
Source
Challenges
Emotional and Psychological Well-being
LGBTQ youth in foster care often face discrimination, rejection, and higher rates of mental health issues.
Housing and Homelessness
LGBTQ youth in foster care are at a higher risk of becoming homeless due to family rejection and discrimination. Finding safe and affirming housing options can be difficult for LGBTQ foster youth.
Identity and Self-Expression
LGBTQ youth in the foster care system may experience the need to conceal their authentic selves in order to shield themselves from potential discrimination or alienation.
Educational Support
Frequent placement changes often result in interrupted schooling and academic setbacks for LGBTQ foster youth. Schools usually lack inclusive curricula that represent LGBTQ histories and issues, contributing to feelings of alienation.
Foster Child Needs by Age Group
1-4 years old
Make sure every child is well nutritioned and is medically covered.
11-14 years old
Facilitate peer and social connections.
Provide access to extracurricular activities.
Prevent substance abuse, and offer sexual and health education.
Support for cultural backgrounds and identities, including support for LGBTQ+ youth.
5-10 years old
Frequently visits or checkups for neglect and abuse.
Having a loving and caring environment that provides children with a safe home.
15-18 years old
Minimize school changes, ensure access to education and college opportunity for all.
Prioritize a child's mental health as it's key to their brain development.
Gain access to communities and connect with peers.
Create a secure and stable family structure.
LGBTQ foster youth aged 15 to 18 frequently encounter emotional challenges due to societal pressures and identity complexities. It's crucial to support their mental health to foster resilience, self-acceptance, and a positive outlook on their future.
19-21 years old
Provide emotional support as parents.
Guidance to choose the right path.
Provide financial assistance for adulthood transition.
Opportunities for them to learn technical or vocational skills.
Interviews
Challenges
Noshin has faced rejection and homophobia from her own family. She was diagnosed with severe depression at the age of 16. And she tried to commit suicide but fortunately, foster care workers found out.
"I thought I deserved to die, I was the wrong one. I really wish someone could have helped me and told me I am not alone."
Struggles to find acceptance and understanding within the foster care system. Feels isolated due to a lack of peers and adults who understand LGBTQ issues.
"Having a supportive community and a sense of safety makes all the difference. It helps me feel seen, understood, and secure in a world that often doesn’t."
Roshawn faced rejection from foster families due to his gender identity, leading to anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
"There were times when I felt so hopeless that I thought about ending it all. Having a supportive caseworker has been a lifeline. It’s made navigating the system a bit easier."
Solutions
Provide access to mental health professionals to address anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Connect with other LGBTQ youths, and share LGBTQ-friendly resources like and support groups.
Peer support groups where they can share experiences with other transgender youth.
PERSONA
Age
17
Gender
Non-binary
Bio
-
4 years in the foster care system.
-
Have experienced isolation and discrimination.
-
Tech-savvy and finds solace in connecting with other LGBTQ youth through social media.
Location
New York
Pronoun
They/them
Needs & Goals
-
Sense of safety and security in public spaces.
-
Strong connection to a supportive community of peers.
-
Access to mental health resources.
Tayor Jordan
Motivations
Taylor is driven by a desire for empowerment, a sense of belonging, and support. They seek to maintain control over their safety and well-being and to establish meaningful connections with others who share similar identities and experiences.
design concept
PrideSafe aims to provide safety and support for LGBTQ youth in foster care. This will be achieved by integrating a discreet device into a pendant to ensure access to help and foster connections among peers. The goal is to create an environment where LGBTQ youth feel valued and supported, empowering them to navigate their lives with confidence and connection.
Verification & Registration
Real-Time Location Tracking
Incorporate GPS technology to track the user’s location accurately. Automatically share the user’s location with registered and verified peers, and optionally with trusted contacts or authorities.
Target Audience
Panic Button
LGBTQ youth in foster care, 15-18 years old.
User Community: Foster a sense of community by connecting users with nearby peers and group homes.
Discrete Design: integrate device into everyday objects — phone pendant. Ensure the button is easy to activate but protected against accidental activation.
app flowchart
app features
Community
Group Homes: connect with nearby LGBTQ peers, and participate in forums. Events Calendar: information about local LGBTQ events and support group meetings.
Group Homes: connect with nearby LGBTQ peers, and participate in forums. Events Calendar: information about local LGBTQ events and support group meetings.
Dashboard
Home: displays recent alerts, and quick access to the panic button.
Quick Access: emergency contact, group home, event calendar.
Map
Location Tracking: shows the user’s real-time location and nearby registered peers. Psychological centers: search for the closest therapy centers.
Safety
Emergency Contacts: add and manage trusted contacts.
Custom Alerts: personalize who receives alerts.
Help Hotlines: Quick dial to help hotlines.
Community
Safety
Home
Map
Group Home
Event Calender
Post
Profile
Forum
Emergency Alert
Location Details
Recent Alert
Therapy Search
Emergenc Contact
Help Responded
Settings
Help Hotlines
Customize Alerts
Help Alert
Help Call
marketing research
The design of the Pridesafe device integrates and enhances the strengths and weaknesses of its competitors' products. Taking inspiration from the effective design of binders and safety jewelry, Pridesafe offers discreet, wearable safety tools with enhanced accessibility. It also focuses on inclusivity and self-expression, drawing from the strengths of gender-neutral fashion.
Strenth
Offers tangible emotional expression for children in therapy. Designed to support therapeutic communication.
Weakness
Therapeutic impact may vary across different children.
Requires trained professionals to maximize therapeutic benefits.
Strenth
Provides a more comfortable binding experience.
Designed specifically for the transgender community’s needs.
Weakness
Long-term wear may
still cause discomfort.
Achieving a perfect
fit is challenging.
Promotes inclusivity and challenges traditional fashion norms. Offers versatile designs suitable for all genders.
Strenth
Potentially higher production
costs due to inclusive sizing.
Market saturation in gender-neutral fashion.
Weakness
Combines technology with everyday wear for convenience. Enhances personal security with multiple safety features.
Strenth
Battery life may be
insufficient for extended use.
Tech support might be challenging for non-tech-savvy users.
Weakness
Comfortable chest-binding for transgender individuals, addressing discomfort and breathing issues.
Discreet safety jewelry with a panic button, GPS, and fake call features.
Therapy dolls help children express emotions tangibly during therapy.
Gender-neutral fashion brand promoting inclusivity and self-expression for non-binary individuals.
Telfar
Alma Therapy Dolls
Safety jewelry
Breathe Binder
product Design
The pendant's design draws inspiration from the iconic unicorn, which symbolizes the LGBTQ community. It features a mosaic of colors from various LGBTQ flags in a beautiful patchwork style to represent inclusivity and diversity. And the symbols of different groups are designed into unique unicorn earrings to highlight individuality and uniqueness.
Sketches
3D Earrings
lgbtq symbols
Infinity Heart
Pansexual
Labrys
Symbolizing lesbian pride and strength
Lambda
Representing energy and equality
Lesbian
Green Carnation
Representing gay men, popularized by
Oscar Wilde
Pink Triangle
Nazi symbol for gay, later reclaimed as pride symbol
gay
Butterfly
Transfromation
Frog
Male and female
transgender
Double Triangle
Dual identity
bisexual
bigender
non-binary
asexual
Cake
"Cake is better than sex anyway"
step in hardware creation
Voltage Conversion Module
Bluetooth Module
Ardunio Nano
Film Pressure Sensor
1
Connect flim pressure sensor with voltage conversion module.
4
Connect them to the bluetooth module.
2
Connect them to the Arduino Nano.
5
Finished device.
3
Rejoin the Dupont wires into one.
Test the flim pressure sensor.
6
prototype
#include <SoftwareSerial.h> SoftwareSerial BT(9, 10); char val= '0'; void setup(){
Serial.begin(38400);
Serial.println("bluetooth is ready!"); BT.begin(38400);
}
void loop(){
Serial.println(analogRead(A0));
if (BT.available()) {
val = BT.read();
Serial.print(val);
}
if(analogRead(A0)<500){
BT.print("Help");
}
}
Voltage Conversion Modlue
The film pressure senor is placed at the horn of the unicorn, it is easy to activate and prevents false alarms. Other electronic parts are stuffed inside the pendent. The Mp3 module is responsible for transmitting signals to the phone when needed.
I created a small prototype device using Arduino to showcase how the pendant works. When the pendant is squeezed, a pressure sensor connected to a Bluetooth module sends a signal to the phone to activate a help alarm.
Film Pressure Sensor
Bluetooth Module
Ardunio Nano
circuit diagram
coding