THRIVE ventures
Many formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers when reintegrating into society. Securing stable employment, finding housing, and rebuilding their lives can be daunting without proper support. The lack of accessible resources and a strong community often leads to feelings of isolation and discouragement, making reintegration even more difficult.
Problem Statement: Formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers when reintegrating into society, including difficulties in securing employment, finding stable housing, and accessing essential resources. The lack of structured support systems and community connections often leads to isolation and discouragement, increasing the risk of recidivism.
How can we design a digital solution that provides these individuals with the necessary tools, resources, and support to facilitate a smoother transition and empower them to rebuild their lives with dignity?
The solution: To address these challenges, we developed Thrive Ventures, an app designed to support formerly incarcerated individuals in rebuilding their lives. The platform helps users access essential resources, including job opportunities, housing assistance, and community events. Beyond providing information, the app encourages personal growth and connection by allowing users to:
Create personalized profiles showcasing their skills, interests, and goals.
Share their stories and engage with others’ posts, reinforcing a sense of community.
Participate in virtual and in-person events hosted by mentors and peers to facilitate learning and networking.
Access an AI-powered chatbot, offering guidance and directing users to relevant app resources without requiring immediate social interaction.
By combining resources with community engagement, the app creates a holistic support system that empowers individuals to take control of their reintegration journey.
THRIVE Ventures
Category: Mobile design
Type: Design competition
duration: 1 week | May 2024
Motivation: This project was developed as part of a design competition, where we were challenged to create solutions for an underrepresented community. We chose to focus on formerly incarcerated individuals because everyone deserves a second chance, yet many face systemic barriers when trying to reintegrate into society. Limited access to jobs, housing, and support networks often leads to isolation and discouragement. By designing an app that provides essential resources and fosters a supportive community, we aimed to create a meaningful impact and empower individuals to rebuild their lives with dignity.
One of the may solutions that we brainstormed.
What I learned: Through this project, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by under represented individuals and the importance of empathetic, user-centered design. Conducting user research reinforced the need for accessibility and emotional support in digital platforms. Iterative feedback from real users helped refine the app, proving the value of continuous testing and improvement. Most importantly, this experience reaffirmed my belief that technology, when designed with care and intention, can be a powerful force for social impact.
Thrive Ventures is more than just an app—it’s a step toward a more inclusive society, where individuals are given the tools, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.
Our design decisions focused on accessibility, emotional support, and ease of use:
A warm, inviting color palette to create a positive and welcoming experience.
A homepage with personalized motivational messages to encourage users.
Organized categories for events, career-related workshops, and community resources to simplify navigation.
Real-time maps and location-based features to help users find and participate in events easily.
A structured yet engaging profile system that allows users to highlight their journey and aspirations.
Circular design elements to make interactions visually appealing and fun, increasing engagement.
Copyright by Mugdha Joshi 2025
Made with blood, sweat and sparkles in Raleigh, North Carolina
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