Our Mission

Hello! Our names are Ellie Usdin and Sydney Shankman, and we are two high schoolers living on the Upper West Side. In 2021, we founded this organization called West Side Smiles which supports homeless shelters in New York City. It is uncomfortable to not have adequate hygiene, especially during the rough transition period of being in a shelter.

Our mission is to assist individuals experiencing homelessness in New York City by creating and donating kits of hygiene supplies for those residing in shelters. Additionally, we host programming with other organizations around NYC to involve our local community in making a difference and destigmatize homelessness.

Throughout the past four years, we have raised money to collect hygienic materials for homeless shelters. We have conducted numerous fundraisers to raise money for supplies, and have communicated with over five shelters around NYC including the Bowery Mission and Covenant House New York.

In the past year, we have donated over 500 pounds worth of hygiene supplies such as socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant! Look at some of our past fundraisers on our gallery page.