NewHome
Features
NewHome is designed to ease the struggle of immigrating to a new country through helping users communicate and connecting them to professionals
The Map of Support Services
NewHome’s map of support services helps users connect with professionals that specialize in assisting newly arrived immigrants. These support services are located throughout Chicago so that immigrants can access services that are close to them and meet their needs.
The Soundboard
NewHome’s soundboard allows users to say anything with just the push of a button. Once a button is pressed, a translation prompt is automatically opened to translate the other person's response. NewHome's soundboard is also fully customizable, so users can add whatever phrases they need.
The Learning Modules
NewHome’s six learning modules teach users about American norms to help them understand how people are likely to act in the US. This helps users connect more easily with the new people they meet. Each module comes with a quiz to help reinforce learning as well.
ABOUT NEWHOME
Over 50% of immigrants are from Latin America and limited English proficiency is a key cause of discrimination with over 60% of immigrants with limited English proficiency reporting at least one form of workplace discrimination. NewHome is designed to address this problem by providing a customizable soundboard and a map of support services. NewHome's soundboard helps users communicate in English. First, the user types in a phrase in Spanish. Then when they want to say the English version of that phrase, they press the button, and it plays an English translation of the phrase. NewHome then automatically opens a recording prompt to record the other person's response and translate it into Spanish for the user to read. NewHome's map of support services helps connect users to professionals who specialize in helping Spanish-speaking immigrants. There are many services on the map, spread throughout the entire city of Chicago, to connect the user with services that are convenient and meet their needs.
Our Team
Victor Barich
Victor is currently a freshman pursuing a degree in Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Growing up, Victor was inspired by the power of technology to solve complex problems, connect people across the world, and create widespread change. He is focused on bridging the digital divide and making technology accessible for all.
Melvin Alpizar
Melvin is currently a senior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign majoring in Computer Engineering. Being a first-generation Mexican-American, he has seen first hand the struggles of his family members in integrating themselves in an English speaking society and he wants to help make it easier for people like his family members to live in the US.
Wenhao Chiang
Wen Hao is a Sophomore at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign majoring in Computer Science. Wen Hao is passionate about leveraging technology to address the challenges faced by underrepresented communities.