Stevens prides itself on being an institution that encourages entrepreneurship alongside education, exciting many prospective and current students with the opportunity to pursue their passion project as a business in the future. The Stute reported on one such project, SilverStrides, back in October 2022. Today, SilverStrides has grown into a great community for older adults to meet people and remain physically active.
SilverStrides is a walking app targeted towards older adults with the goal to engage them with physical activity and community at a slower pace. Through accessible technology, SilverStrides connects older adults to walking partners, events, and groups, combating inactivity and loneliness while fostering a sense of camaraderie and fun. Erin Kreis is the founder and CEO of SilverStrides, and is a 5/5 mechanical engineer with a concentration in biomedical engineering. She was recently accepted into the Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. program at Stevens.
Kreis’ inspiration for SilverStrides is deeply rooted in her personal experiences, particularly her close relationship with her grandparents. Witnessing her grandmother’s, endearingly referred to as ‘Meamom’, dedication to walking for health and vitality, even at the age of 94, sparked Kreis’ determination to harness technology for the betterment of older adults. Recognizing the impact of walking on physical and mental well-being, Kreis created a platform that would make walking communities accessible and enjoyable for older adults across the country.
Building SilverStrides presented its fair share of challenges. Perhaps the most significant hurdle was teaching herself software development—an endeavor she initially found daunting. However, she continued to push through this challenge because she felt it was necessary to create age-inclusive technology. When speaking with the Stute, she noted, “I taught myself to code through YouTube tutorials. The main thing for me was to remain patient. The first few months, my progress felt excruciatingly slow. But it was worth it, and now I can confidently call myself a developer!”
Looking ahead, Kreis envisions SilverStrides expanding its reach nationwide, establishing walking groups in communities across the country. Additionally, she aims to foster partnerships between these communities and universities like Stevens, facilitating research collaborations that advance the public’s understanding of healthy aging. By connecting researchers with older adults through SilverStrides, Kreis hopes to drive innovation and promote holistic approaches to healthy living.
For students interested in getting involved with SilverStrides or exploring research opportunities, Kreis extends a warm invitation. They can reach out to her via email at ekreis@stevens.edu or connect through SilverStrides’ social media platforms. The instagram is @silverstridesapp and Facebook is @SilverStrides.
“Students are also welcome at our SilverStrides walks! Many intergenerational relationships have formed through SilverStrides. As an out-of-state student, I look forward to the family-like environment and mentorship I have experienced at SilverStrides walks”, Kreis writes.
