Beginning

We initially played around with the idea of making a Java-based physics system. Gabe joined the group as the fourth person and wanted to make a web application in the social good category. So we tried to keep the simulation theme by creating a web application to project potential new Congressional districts based on the newly passed Prop 50. Though we later learned that this idea had too much math and wasn’t doable in the time window. So we pivoted yet again and kept the already created Map, with the goal of focusing on citizens. We settled on a web application to show various user-submitted events that are currently relevant for California residents. What it does

Inspiration

The main purpose of the project was to connect the state of California through essential life resources. Ones that could potentially keep people safe, fed, and clothed. We have seen a drastic change in the economy, one that could potentially crash if it is not taken care of.

What it does

It displays Homeless shelters, Food Banks, and ICE sightings that are submitted by people who uses the website. It’s supposed to be a collaborative website where people come together to help each other for those who are in need in California. In the interactive map, the pins can be placed that could display information on the location for Homeless shelters, Food banks, or ICE sightings, which can display notes that the person adds to the pin.

How we built it

The web application was built with Docker, Manim, SvelteKit, Python, and PostgreSQL with GIS extensions. We retrieved the shape files from the Populated Places dataset. This combined with PostgreSQL GIS extensions and a tiling server, allowed us to show the interactive Map within the SvelteKit web framework. The interactive map feature allowed us to leverage Postgresql’s database features to link map locations to various user-submitted events.

We relied heavily on agentic AI tools to do the frontend and a lot of the data processing.

Challenges we ran into

Many challenges were faced in our project, like being able to filter out what type of notes users are putting in the map and how it could help the rest of their community. We were inspired by the modern concern in our economy based in the state. We wanted to help make a change that could potentially uplift the people and bring new hope to people who have started from scratch.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

A working filtering and comment system with pins that saves statewide while presenting information to help other people get resources and help. Clean animated transitions between pages and a clean presentable UI both on the landing page and main program page.

What we learned

We learned that it’s ok to scrap ideas multiple times to get to the final idea. Cause of that, we had to start from the bottom two times to get to our final. Also, it’s fine to use a random piece of scraps that we had originally from the previous ideas, which at the end we managed to use it for our project.

What's next for Connect CA

Create a better location feature that can display more information than just having people write down what the location has or what is happening. Also, to improve the layout more that it’s more user-friendly and easier to be used.