Rep. Jim Costa Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winner
FRESNO, Calif. — Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) today announced Natalie Bonilla as the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for California’s 21st Congressional District.
Natalie Bonilla, a senior at Selma High School, developed Community Support, a mobile app designed for both iOS and Android platforms. The app compiles critical community support resources—including hotline numbers, support groups, phone numbers, and nearby locations—to ensure individuals in the Central Valley can quickly access help during times of need.
Inspired by her own personal experiences, Natalie created Community Support to help reduce the stigma around seeking assistance and to make life-saving information more accessible to members of her community. The app provides a user-friendly way for individuals to locate urgent and non-urgent resources in one centralized place.
Natalie built the app using Java and completed most of the coding at home and at school. Through the process, she navigated technical challenges such as adapting the app’s design across different devices and debugging code, gaining a deeper appreciation for the complexity and time required to develop a fully functional application.
“Natalie’s app demonstrates how technology can be used to strengthen communities and support those who may be experiencing difficult moments,” said Congressman Jim Costa. “As one of America’s future leaders, Natalie has already shown creativity, persistence, and a strong commitment to service. I’m proud to recognize her achievement and look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next.”
“I come from a family deeply involved in social services, which motivated me to continue helping others. I’m very grateful for this opportunity and honored to have been chosen as this year’s winner,” said Natalie Bonilla. “I was completely shocked and didn’t expect it at all. My teacher encouraged me to apply, even though I had a lot of doubts. When I received the news, I was incredibly happy.”
About the App
Community Support connects users directly to crisis hotlines and local support groups, allowing individuals to quickly find the assistance that best fits their situation. Natalie plans to expand the app in the future by adding additional resources, such as food and transportation services, and enhanced features to improve the user experience.
The Congressional App Challenge is an annual competition sponsored by the Internet Education Foundation (IEF) that encourages middle and high school students nationwide to explore coding and STEM fields by creating original apps. The challenge has reached students from diverse, rural, and underserved communities across the country.
