Inspiration

We wanted to help specifically young people who are struggling with home-displacement or are in crisis due to lack of access to resources such as food, fresh water or clothing here in Seattle.

What it does

Helping Hand is a free web application that provides location and information on where and how to get resources to people who lack food, shelter, clothing or face disastrous events.

How we built it

We used React JS and TypeScript for the Frontend, as well as Amazon Bedrock, Party Rock AWS and generative AI to provide more accurate, real-time local data

Challenges we ran into

Implementing the AI was difficult and we needed more time to link each specific resource to the AI

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We developed a user-friendly interface that allows users to quickly find essential resources in their area. Our integration of real-time data ensures that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date. We created helpful visuals and maps that allowed greater accessibility for users.

What we learned

We learned the importance of user-centered design by extensive research and discussions with potential users outside of UW to understand their needs better. We also gained valuable experience in collaborating as a team, especially in troubleshooting technical challenges. Additionally, our exploration of AWS services and generative AI expanded our technical skills and knowledge of cloud computing.

What's next for Helping Hand

Moving forward, we aim to enhance our chatbot functionality to provide users with immediate assistance and personalized support. We also plan to expand our resource database to include mental health services and legal assistance. Engaging with more community partners will help us increase our outreach, and we’re exploring funding opportunities to sustain and grow the platform. Lastly, we hope to gather more user feedback to continue improving the app's features and usability.

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