Team 16

Inspiration We were inspired by the real and urgent communication barriers in the Seneca-Babcock neighborhood—especially the lack of WiFi, limited access to community updates, and an over-reliance on word-of-mouth. As we connected with the work of the Seneca Street CDC, we saw the potential to build a tool that could bridge the gap between vital community information and residents who were often left out due to digital or economic barriers. Our mission became clear: to make local updates and stories accessible to everyone, with or without internet access.

What it does Seneca Signal is a scalable community information hub designed to reach residents across digital divides. It features: A lightweight, mobile-friendly website for smartphones An SMS-based system for residents without WiFi A chatbot that answers questions about current or historical topics A clean admin dashboard where staff can update stories, alerts, and events A centralized platform for news, local history, events, safety alerts, and more

By using simple design and mobile-first tools, we created a system that works on any phone—bringing updates straight to residents’ hands.

How we built it We started with community research and design thinking sessions to understand local needs. From there, we developed a three-layered architecture:

Admin Dashboard: Built to be non-technical, so staff or volunteers can post content easily Mobile-Friendly Website: Optimized for accessibility, speed, and clarity SMS System: Designed to be intuitive, multilingual, and keyword-driven (e.g., text “2” for events)

We used tools like Figma for mockups and prototyping, and considered scalable platforms like Azure for hosting, chatbot integration, and automation.

Challenges we ran into One major challenge was designing a system that is both technically simple and functionally powerful. We needed to balance accessibility for users with flip phones against opportunities to add AI and chatbot capabilities. Another hurdle was creating a content model that would serve online and offline users equally—ensuring no resident was left behind.

Accomplishments that we're proud of We’re proud of building a system that truly reflects community-first values. The fact that residents can access it without WiFi, in their own language, and from any device is a major win. We're also excited about how easily the platform can be duplicated in other neighborhoods, and how we’ve integrated youth voices through the ambassador program. Our rollout plan—from soft testing to full launch—is designed to make long-term adoption possible.

What we learned We learned that the most impactful tech isn’t always flashy—it’s what meets people where they are. We saw the importance of keeping the interface simple, language inclusive, and features community-driven. We also realized that building trust with residents—especially through offline outreach—was just as crucial as building the tech itself.

What's next for Team 16 Next, we plan to pilot Seneca Signal in partnership with SSCSDC. We'll measure engagement through SMS sign-ups, feedback, and community event participation. As we grow, we envision expanding to other Buffalo neighborhoods and evolving features based on resident input—like adding voice response, real-time alerts, and deeper AI support. Ultimately, we want to create a repeatable model that empowers communities through better information access.

Built With

• canva
• chatgpt
• figma