Creating a trauma-informed digital community with Silver Lining Mentoring
Silver Lining Mentoring supports youth impacted by foster care — a population often overlooked in tech and disproportionately affected by trauma, instability, and systemic harm.
As part of a larger team tasked with designing their first mobile app, I was responsible for leading the design of the Community feature — a section where young people could engage with peers, share resources, and feel a sense of belonging.
But designing community for this audience came with tough constraints. SLM needed to protect users from re-traumatization, misuse, and content that could compromise safety. Features like direct messaging, financial asks, and unmoderated posts were off the table — at least initially.
As part of a larger team tasked with designing their first mobile app, I was responsible for leading the design of the Community feature — a section where young people could engage with peers, share resources, and feel a sense of belonging.
But designing community for this audience came with tough constraints. SLM needed to protect users from re-traumatization, misuse, and content that could compromise safety. Features like direct messaging, financial asks, and unmoderated posts were off the table — at least initially.
CLIENT
Silver Lining Mentoring (SLM)
ROLE
Design Lead for Community Feature
DURATION
16 Weeks (May - August 2024)
TEAM
1 Product Manager
1 Design Manager
6 Product Designers
3 SLM Stakeholders
THE CHALLENGE
How do we balance connection and expression, while protecting users from harm?
SAFETY VS EXPRESSION
Through rounds of stakeholder sessions, we shaped Phase 1 to focus on emotional safety
Phase 1: Community Safeguards
Mandatory Agreement
Templated Posting Options
Character Limits
Trigger Warnings
Predefined Categories
Moderation System
Send Kudos GIF
Encourage fellow mentees with positive reactions.
Join a Challenge GIF
Engage with mentees while building resilience.
Trigger Warning GIF
Ensures a safe and inclusive space.
REAL-WORLD IMPACT
This isn’t just an app—it is a lifeline.
We presented our app to the SLM company CEO and boards members- they loved it. The app is currently in the development stage and is set to impact over 3,600 foster youth annually. Here's what the SLM CEO, Colby Swettberg had to say:
LESSONS LEARNED
+ Iterative Design: Completing numerous iterations taught me the power of feedback-driven design.
+ Storytelling: Designing #StillHere emphasized the importance of emotional connection in digital spaces.
+ Leadership by Example: Modeling presentation techniques elevated team standards and collaboration.
This project was a reminder of the profound impact design can have on marginalized communities. By prioritizing user needs and fostering connection, resilience, and celebration, the community section of SLM’s app has the potential to transform lives.
