One thing I’ve always been passionate about is sharing my experiences (whether good or bad) with others in hopes of helping someone who can relate. After finding Jayaina Patton (nickname Jay Jay) while browsing on Instagram the other day, I was intrigued by the Photo Patch Foundation App she created at the age of 12 years old. I reached out to Jay Jay because I was interested in learning more about her story and how she came up with idea to create the app.
Jay Jay was such a sweet heart when I reached out to her. She responded immediately and we set up an appointment to do a phone interview later that evening. I knew right then she was about her business. (Did I mention that she is 13 years old? Lol)
Jay Jay told me that her father taught himself how to code while he was incarcerated. After learning to code and realizing how hard it was for him and Jay Jay to communicate, he decided to create a website that would make it easier not only for them but for other children and parents also. Jay Jay’s father later taught her how to code which lead her to wanting to turn the website into an app. Jay Jay said she knows how common and accessible apps are in today’s society and she loved the idea of being able to send and receive pictures “on the go”. She said “If you’re riding in the car and you think of your parent, you can send them a picture right away”. She stated that once she learned how to code she was able to create the app in just a few months.
The Photo Patch Foundation app allows youth to upload and send pictures to their incarcerated parent(s) for free. The app can be downloaded on any iOS or Android device from the App Store.
Seeing youth like Jay Jay using her skills to help others who are in similar situations she once was, inspires me to continue to share my own story in hopes of doing the same. #BlackGirlMagic strikes again! Thank you Jayaina for sharing your story and creating an app that will help so many people like us!
Please like, share, comment to spread the word about the Photo Patch Foundation app to help a youth with incarcerated parent(s).