How FNESS Built a Digital Hub That Serves Remote Communities Across BC
When outdated systems threatened timely access to emergency resources, FNESS turned to WMSH for a full digital transformation. Here’s how the journey unfolded—and a few insights you may find helpful along the way.
THE REAL PROBLEM:
Their Website Was Holding Them Back
FNESS plays a vital role in protecting and supporting First Nations communities during floods, wildfires, and other emergencies. But their outdated website was making it harder, not easier, to fulfil their mission.
The navigation was confusing
Resources were buried or hard to find
The site wasn’t mobile-friendly, an issue for people in the field
Internally, they had no scalable strategy for sharing updates or engaging their community
In short: they had critical information to share, but no good way to share it.
What They Tried Before
(and Why It Wasn’t Enough)
This wasn’t FNESS’s first attempt at digital upgrades. They’d made small fixes over the years, like new pages, occasional blog posts, and manually sending newsletters, but without a clear strategy or structure, nothing stuck.
They needed more than a tech upgrade.
THE SOLUTION:
WHY WMSH?
A Trusted Referral Led Them to the Right Partner
FNESS was referred to WMSH by someone who knew they needed a team with:
Deep experience in digital
strategy
A proven process for building clear,
user-first websites
A people-first mindset that respects the communities being served
We started with a simple promise:
Let’s make your website a tool that works for everyone who depends on you, especially in moments of crisis.
What We Built—and How It’s Making a Difference
Rebuilt the Website
We kept their recognizable branding but completely restructured the site for clarity, speed, and accessibility—especially on mobile.
Developed a Content Ecosystem
- Blogs that educate and inform
- Branded newsletters
- A refreshed YouTube channel
- Social media content that connects
Trained Their Team
We didn’t just hand over a finished product—we trained their communications team to manage and grow the platform confidently on their own.
THE RESULTS:
A Site That Serves the Mission—and the People
FNESS plays a vital role in protecting and supporting First Nations communities during floods, wildfires, and other emergencies. But their outdated website was making it harder, not easier, to fulfil their mission.
Emergency resources are easier to access
Content updates are quick and in-house
Community engagement is more consistent
The organization now has a scalable digital foundation
The Bigger Lesson Behind the Build
If your website feels like a barrier instead of a tool, you’re not alone. Many mission-driven organizations get stuck with platforms that can’t keep up with the scope of their work.
The lesson from FNESS is simple: A clear, user-friendly digital presence isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline.
When you invest in strategy—not just design—you create tools that serve your audience and grow with your mission.
JO HALES
FNESS Communications Manager
“We Make Stuff Happen worked with us from start to finish, which made the process of developing our new website so much easier. Any questions or assistance we need with the website are always answered and dealt with quickly. Jonathan and his knowledgeable team are a delight to work with!”
