UWS Group Raises $40K In 2 Days For Fight Against Homeless

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A new group formed this week has joined the conversation surrounding the recent conversion of Upper West Side hotels into homeless shelters.

Comprised of unpaid volunteers with a mission to improve quality of life and help those in need, the West Side Community Organization "refuses to accept that nothing can be done to save our neighborhood."

The nonprofit organization formed after members met virtually through the Facebook group "Upper West Siders for Safer Streets." With more than 10,000 members in the group, many regularly share photos and shed light on the plights of the neighborhood's homeless population, who started moving into neighborhood hotels at the end of May.

The West Side Community Organization's mission is straightforward:

"To advance safer and more compassionate policies regarding New Yorkers who are struggling with homelessness, mental illness, and drug addiction. Our grassroots organization will promote adequate services for those in critical need, help improve the quality of life for residents, and foster a healthy environment for small businesses to thrive."

Founders of the nonprofit said they were pushed to action after local officials ignored their concerns.

"We have repeatedly reached out to our local officials for help and have either received no response or condescending platitudes," the organization wrote. "Oftentimes, they have made personal attacks on our character. Our voices have been ignored. Now is the time for action."

The group didn't hesitate to promote its mission. One of their first actions was creating a GoFundMe to support the group's expansion. The GoFundMe has raised more than $44,000 in two days. As of Thursday morning, 214 donors have pledged money in support of the $100,000 goal.

Additionally, the group hired high-profile attorney Randy Mastro to work with City Hall to address neighborhood homelessness, according to the New York Post.

"In the guise of addressing a problem, it has created far greater problems that are proving devastating to this neighborhood and endangering residents and homeless alike," Mastro told the Post. "We are calling on the de Blasio administration to clear up this mess of its own making. And if it fails to promptly do so, we'll go to court."

Find out more about the West Side Community Organization on its website.

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