From high school to college, Allen Zhou has always been eager to connect with people. Now it’s easier to do that with his newest nonprofit and website, Big & Mini.
A 2019 Carroll graduate, Allen has been studying electrical and computer engineering at the University of Texas at Austin for the past year. During high school, Allen recalls volunteering at nursing homes in Southlake, playing the piano and interacting with residents who lived there. He quickly realized the value of socializing across generations while volunteering.
“The single most important thing were the stories that I heard from them,” Allen recalls. “There are some things you just can’t learn in a classroom, and one of those is the lives lived by individuals who are older and have more experiences. That’s what I get from nursing homes – the stories about their lives, the challenges they faced, how they overcame them. That was always inspiring and fulfilling to hear about.”
According to AARP, 17% of all Americans over 65 are alone and isolated for one reason or another. But since the COVID-19 pandemic happened in March, Allen says those circumstances have only intensified.
“COVID-19 has kind of exacerbated, made the situation worse,” Allen expresses. “They’re essentially forced into isolation and loneliness. Technology is a way we can combat that issue and bring people together even though we’re all apart.”
One solution Allen has created alongside his brother Anthony and colleague Aditi Merchant is Big & Mini, a video conferencing platform where older and younger users can connect with each other. Members start by signing up as either a “Big” or “Mini,” fill out their registration form, then are paired with another member with mutual interests.
“We try to make it as simple and intuitive as possible,” Allen says. “This a mutually-beneficial relationship that benefits the Minis just as much as the Bigs, because that communication between generations is something we’ve been missing for a long time.”
With a presence in 37 states and four partner colleges, Allen says he’s loved seeing older and younger Americans come together through Big & Mini. He hopes that those relationships continue to grow and evolve into the coming months, regardless of what happens with COVID-19.
“This started during COVID-19, but it’s going to become increasingly relevant as our aging population grows and technology evolves,” Allen expresses. “We want to get more people on board and have an even greater positive impact during a crazy time.”
To learn more or sign up with Big & Mini, visit BigAndMini.org.