Riverdale Community Action Network

The Riverdale Community Action Network (RCAN) needed a digital platform that could effectively connect diverse community voices, showcase their impact, and drive meaningful civic engagement. Our comprehensive redesign transformed their online presence into a powerful tool for community mobilization.

The Challenge

The Riverdale Community Action Network faced multiple challenges with their digital presence. Their existing website lacked visual cohesion, had inconsistent application of design elements, and didn't effectively support key user journeys for community engagement. The navigation structure made it difficult for visitors to find relevant information or take action. Additionally, the site had limited accessibility considerations and potential performance issues that hindered its effectiveness as a platform for community mobilization. RCAN needed a digital platform that could authentically represent their mission while providing clear pathways for diverse community members to learn, connect, and act.

Our Solution

We developed a comprehensive redesign strategy that transformed RCAN's digital presence into a powerful platform for community engagement. Our approach centered on implementing a distinctive 'Ripple Effect' visual system that symbolizes how individual actions create collective impact. We restructured the information architecture to support three key user journeys: information seekers, action takers, and community connectors. The new design features a modular, responsive layout that maintains visual cohesion across devices while prioritizing accessibility. We integrated interactive elements like community story submissions, event calendars, and impact visualizations to foster engagement. Throughout the site, authentic community imagery and narratives create emotional connections while maintaining clear pathways to action. The resulting design balances bold advocacy with usability, creating a digital platform that truly serves RCAN's mission of empowering Riverdale residents.

Our Approach

• Conducted a comprehensive assessment of the existing website design, identifying both strengths to leverage and weaknesses to address
• Developed a refined brand identity with a distinctive 'Ripple Effect' visual metaphor that represents how community actions create expanding impact
• Created a user-centered information architecture optimized for three primary user flows: information seekers, action takers, and community connectors
• Designed a responsive layout system with community-centered breakpoints and context-aware adaptability
• Implemented a culturally-validated color system and cognitive-adaptive typography to ensure accessibility across diverse community segments
• Integrated interactive elements that facilitate real-world community connection and action
• Established a measurement framework to track both user experience metrics and community engagement outcomes

Impact

The redesigned RCAN website has become a vital hub for community organizing in Riverdale, significantly expanding the organization's ability to mobilize collective action. By creating clear pathways for engagement and authentic representation of community voices, the new digital platform has attracted a more diverse audience and increased participation across all demographic groups. The responsive design ensures equitable access regardless of device or connectivity limitations, while the culturally-validated visual system creates emotional resonance across Riverdale's diverse communities. Most importantly, the website now serves as a tangible expression of RCAN's purpose: empowering residents to actively participate in creating a more peaceful, just, and sustainable community. The digital platform has become an essential tool in connecting individual concerns to collective action, amplifying unheard voices, and creating measurable community change.