Crescere wins Rep. Jerry McNerney’s 2021 Congressional App Challenge in California’s Ninth District

When asked what inspired the creation of Crescere, the student said, “I’ve always been a science girl. Ever since I was in elementary school, tinkering with code and engineering kits, I’ve been interested in technology. As I grew older, that interest evolved into a passion for applying technology to social issues, to make this world a better place.

To me, one of the world’s biggest challenges today is the domestic violence epidemic that permeates throughout our society. It cultivates a tremendous amount of disrespect against women, who it most commonly affects. It also threatens the safety of millions every year. No human should ever have to exist in fear.

Back in February, I read a statistic in a TIME news article that domestic violence rates had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. I felt powerless, sitting in my room, knowing that in that moment people were being abused, traumatized, scarred. I wanted to do something, anything, to help the people that needed it the most. In that instant, my thoughts immediately went to making an app. Apps are available at the touch of a fingertip – they can be used at a moment’s notice in a crisis. I wanted to empower these people who were being broken down everyday, so that they could create better lives for themselves.”