SAFEY — Safety Assessment and Resource Platform wins Rep. James Walkinshaw’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Virginia’s 11th District

When asked what inspired the creation of SAFEY — Safety Assessment and Resource Platform, the students said, “We were inspired to create this app after exploring the governor’s website and learning about the issues and initiatives receiving attention. As we reviewed the priorities, we noticed that personal safety, particularly in domestic situations, was highlighted as important. At the same time, we realized that technology addressing these issues, especially tools designed for privacy and offline use, was still very limited. My partner and I saw an opportunity to apply technology in a way that directly supports people without requiring cloud-based services or complex setups. This gap in the industry motivated us to create something practical and meaningful.

“From there, we began discussing what a real-world solution could look like. We wanted it to be accessible, easy to use, and discreet, yet effective. That’s when the idea of a progressive web app with stealth mode took shape. We envisioned an app that could operate in everyday spaces, hidden under a familiar interface, while still providing guidance and risk assessment for users in need. Our goal was to empower people without requiring technical expertise.

“Ultimately, our inspiration came from recognizing the gap between societal priorities and available technological solutions, and asking ourselves how we could bridge that gap. My partner and I aimed to create a tool that is not only functional but also empowering, discreet, and adaptive to users’ needs. The process was driven by curiosity, collaboration, and the desire to take an underrepresented area and apply innovative thinking to make a tangible difference. SAFEY reflects both our technical skills and our shared commitment to creating solutions that genuinely support people in sensitive, critical situations.”