Asta | Devpost

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Food Assistance landing page of Asta's Kiosk
Menu Page of Asta's Kiosk
Welcome Page of Asta's Kiosk

Inspiration

The inspiration behind Asta stemmed from the alarming rise in homelessness and the disparity between available services and their utilization. Witnessing the gap between efforts by welfare organizations and the homeless community's reception of these services drove us to create a solution that acts as a bridge, connecting those in need with essential resources and support.

What it does

Asta serves as an information and assistance kiosk strategically placed in areas with high concentrations of homelessness. It provides a centralized point of contact for individuals seeking help by offering information, resources, and contacts for local NGOs, social workers, and volunteers. Key features include real-time availability updates for shelters, food banks, and medical services, along with printable directions for accessing help. Additionally, Asta offers voice-assisted navigation for users with reading difficulties or those who prefer auditory guidance, ensuring accessibility for all.

How we built it

We utilized a combination of technologies, including Tailwind CSS, Next.js, JavaScript, React, and the Shadcn component library, to develop Asta's frontend. Our backend infrastructure leveraged APIs to gather and display real-time information on available services. We employed Figma for mockups, and WebScraper.io assisted in extracting and organizing data on local services for integration into Asta's platform.

Challenges we ran into

One major challenge we faced was determining the most effective approach to addressing the sensitive issue of homelessness. Balancing the need for assistance with potential resistance from individuals and safety concerns for staff required careful consideration. Additionally, aggregating and organizing information on available services proved challenging due to the diverse range of institutions offering support. Lastly, maintenance and safety concerns for the kiosks were also significant hurdles, prompting us to innovate designs that blend seamlessly with urban environments to mitigate downtime and incidents.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We're proud to have developed Asta as a tangible solution to address homelessness and improve access to essential services. Overcoming the challenges of navigating the complex landscape of social services, implementing innovative designs for kiosk maintenance and safety, and creating a user-friendly platform that prioritizes accessibility were significant achievements for our team.

What we learned

Through the development of Asta, we gained valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of homelessness and the importance of empathy-driven solutions. We learned the significance of strategic planning in kiosk placement and the critical role of collaboration with existing social services. Additionally, navigating technical challenges and optimizing user experience deepened our understanding of frontend development and API integration.

What's next for Asta

Looking ahead, we aim to scale Asta's impact by expanding its reach to additional communities and refining its features based on user feedback. We plan to further enhance the platform's functionality, including integrating additional support services and enhancing data accuracy and real-time updates. Collaborating with local governments, counties and nonprofits will be instrumental in driving adoption and ensuring Asta's long-term sustainability and effectiveness in addressing homelessness.