Relink wins Rep. Sam Liccardo’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 16th District

When asked what inspired the creation of Relink, the students said, “Our team has had past experience volunteering in available reentry programs, which played a major role in sparking our interest in the field. Oftentimes, we would meet and have the chance to speak to previously incarcerated individuals, exposing us to the humanity-side of the criminal justice system, which often isn’t covered in media and news outlets, which typically portray the issue in an overly negative light. Yet, a recurring theme we noticed among these people were their unideal conditions, living in communities with fewer resources or families unable to absorb large financial burdens, creating unfavorable circumstances which contribute to higher crime rates. Initially, we thought a quick fix could be an in-depth document or list of resources for employment, safety, and counseling. 

“However, we soon realized those solutions wouldn’t be enough; they would still depend on the level of local resources and guidance, and many places across the nation lack that. To address this, over the past seven months, our team has been working on Relink, an app that provides location-based resources and guidance that can be applied no matter where someone lives. Through Relink, we were inspired to give a true second chance to past offenders because we noticed that, unlike most areas of life, they are often viewed in a permanent negative light. Usually, people value change, forgiveness, and the ability to improve in school, jobs, and relationships, but not when it comes to people with past offenses. Relink aims to provide that second chance by improving safety, helping formerly incarcerated people seek employment, and offering positive, practical guidance.”