Hi! My name is Grace, and I am currently a junior at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. I started NeuroZAP because I was surrounded by people who had been impacted by neurological disorders, from family members to friends, which made me want to learn more about brain health and how I could make a difference.
Additionally, when I started to volunteer at local nursing homes and spent time talking with residents, I noticed how much was missing—many residents were living in cramped spaces, some lacked access to technology and resources for their health, and many were simply lonely. Seeing this made me realize there was a real need not only for more awareness about neurological disorders and brain health, but also for more care, connection, and engagement in these communities.
This is what inspired me to start NeuroZAP; I wanted it to be a way to raise awareness about neurological disorders and brain health, while also creating activity kits and resources that could help seniors stay more mentally engaged and feel less alone. My hope is that NeuroZAP can bring both awareness and support into the community in a way that feels both meaningful and lasting.
NeuroZAP is dedicated to making brain health education more accessible, engaging, and meaningful through hands-on community outreach. We aim to fundraise and distribute activity kits and informational guidebooks, while also encouraging other volunteers to visit local retirement centers and spend time with seniors through games, crafts, and interactive activities. By supporting cognitive engagement and building connections across generations, we hope to promote brain health and make seniors feel seen and supported.
Our guidebook is designed to be a simple, helpful resource that introduces key topics in brain health in an easy-to-understand way. It includes information about lifestyle habits, hands-on activities, and tips that encourage learning and meaningful engagement for students, families, and older adults. We also plan to expand it into additional languages over time so it can be accessible to more people and communities!