StreetAid

Inspiration

Homelessness and crisis response often suffer from a lack of coordination. Many individuals in distress are unaware of where to find immediate help, while shelters and outreach workers struggle to allocate resources effectively. Our team wanted to create a tool that uses technology to make compassion actionable — connecting people, services, and responders in real time.

What it does

StreetAid is a location-based web application that connects people in need with nearby aid and outreach services.

• Individuals can signal their need for assistance or view nearby shelters, food banks, and resources.
  
• Outreach workers and volunteers can see live alerts, track their routes, and respond efficiently.
  
• The platform also enables organizations to update service availability, such as open beds or food supply, to reduce wasted trips and improve response times.

How we built it

We built StreetAid using React (Vite) for the frontend and Tailwind CSS for styling.
Interactive maps were integrated using Leaflet.js and OpenStreetMap tiles.
User authentication and data storage were handled through Supabase and the site is hosted on AWS Amplify, ensuring fast and reliable access for users.

Challenges we ran into

• Integrating real-time map updates while maintaining smooth performance.
  
• Handling user geolocation securely while respecting privacy.
  
• Syncing frontend and backend components during rapid development under time constraints.
  
• Designing an interface that remains accessible, clear, and mobile-friendly for all types of users.
  

Accomplishments that we're proud of

• Successfully implemented an interactive, real-time map that displays user alerts and services.
  
• Built a complete authentication and profile system within a short timeframe.
  
• Designed a clean, minimal, and responsive UI that enhances usability and trust.
  
• Overcame major integration challenges between Leaflet, Supabase, and our custom React components.
  

What we learned

• How to effectively coordinate as a team across multiple feature branches and workflows.
  
• The importance of accessibility and UI clarity in humanitarian-focused applications.
  
• Practical experience in deploying full-stack applications using Supabase and Netlify.
  
• The balance between performance optimization and user privacy when using geolocation services.

What's next for StreetAid

• Expanding the platform to support verified outreach teams and service provider accounts.
  
• Integrating SMS and push notifications for faster emergency alerts.
  
• Adding analytics tools to help organizations track outreach efficiency and resource impact.
  
• Partnering with local shelters and municipal services to pilot the platform in real communities.

Built With

• amazon-web-services
• amplify
• css
• leaflet.js
• python
• react
• supabase
• tailwind