WeRemain

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Inspiration

After wildfires, survivors often receive basic emergency aid, but the deeper needs go unmet. People lose not just homes, but their community, clarity, and sense of direction. We were inspired to create a space where survivors could connect, reflect, and help others by sharing how they got back on their feet, emotionally and practically.

What it does

WeRemain is a platform where wildfire survivors share personal stories of loss, recovery, and resilience, and highlight the resources that helped them through. These tagged stories are searchable by location, demographics, type of loss, or kind of support received.

New survivors can filter through these real experiences to find stories that match their situation, directly from those who’ve lived it.

How we built it

We designed WeRemain using Figma and created it with HTML, CSS, and React. We focused on creating a clear, emotionally resonant landing page where survivors can easily discover meaningful stories and resources. Our goal was to make the experience feel personal, supportive, and intuitive, helping users quickly find stories that reflect their situations. We prioritized accessible design, simple navigation, and an effective layout to highlight both emotional journeys and the resources that made recovery possible.

Challenges we ran into

One of our biggest challenges was figuring out how to balance emotional storytelling with practical information. We wanted to create a space that felt safe and personal, without losing structure or usability.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud of creating a platform that supports both survivors and the systems meant to serve them. Survivors get more than a list of resources: they get real, lived experiences from people like them, along with emotional connection and community. At the same time, the government gains valuable insight into what resources are helping, where gaps exist, and how recovery efforts can be improved.

Designing something that bridges personal healing and public accountability is something we’re truly proud of.

What we learned

We learned how hard it is to rebuild a community while also addressing the logistical challenges of recovery. Survivor insights are often underutilized in shaping disaster policy, yet their stories are crucial.

No two recovery journeys are the same, and by listening to more diverse survivor experiences, we can better understand their unique needs. This will help us create more effective resources and support systems that truly reflect what people need in their recovery.

What's next for WeRemain

Next, we hope to add an interactive map to show where key resources are located, making it easier for survivors to find support near them. We also hope to strengthen collaboration with government partners to ensure the platform informs and improves disaster response systems, helping policymakers better understand where support is needed.