October 29, 2024
ECU College of Business AIS Chapter and partners bring art and technology to aid youth affected by Hurricane Helene
On October 19, 2024, students from the College of Business (COB) AIS Chapter in the Department of Management Information Systems (MIS) joined forces with the NC STeP Peds program and the COB Office of Expert Services to host a vibrant and impactful booth at the 20th Annual Greenville Youth Arts Festival. This unique initiative engaged local youth in creating artwork to support children in Western NC affected by the recent Hurricane Helene.
Natural disasters like Hurricane Helene leave deep impacts on children’s mental and emotional well-being, with research indicating that up to 50% of children exposed to such events may experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress, including anxiety, depression, and concentration difficulties. Recognizing these challenges, the collaborative team aimed to create a calming and creative space for local youth. Utilizing both traditional art techniques and advanced AI technologies, the booth enabled approximately 150 young participants to create “healing artworks”. In total, 98 artwork pieces were collected from participating youth. Select pieces will soon be featured in the newly launched NC Kids Get Well virtual community house art gallery, with a virtual art tour video planned to broadcast the collection to affected children across Western NC.
AIS Chapter students (and Arthur IMBA students) Fiona Freyholtz and Craig Geter, along with MIS professor Dr. Lucky Xue, led event engagement efforts, while COB students Seth Jones and Luke Rabey assisted with the initial booth setup.
“This event exemplifies how ECU COB students apply their knowledge and expertise to support regional youth and foster resilience in the wake of adversity,” said Dr. Lucky Xue, director of the Center for Healthcare Management Systems found in the Office of Expert Services.
