By Carol Tannenhauser
Want a lift? Read this email, sent to West Side Rag on Thursday morning by one of our neighbors.
My name is Emily Kimberl. I live in a building right next to one of the hotels being used to house the asylum seekers (Park West Hotel on Central Park West between 106th and 107th).
I had met one of the families while on a walk with my dog and they expressed a need for clothing. I quickly ran up to my apartment and threw together some snacks, toiletries, and clothes that they could have.
After hearing about all that they needed, my neighbor, Rachel Nelson, and I reached out to friends and family asking for donations and very quickly got $1,000. We then went to TJ Maxx and Target to get clothing, toiletries, snacks, and even games for the kids staying there. I’ve attached photos of all that we were able to provide them.
I think a lot of New Yorkers are looking for ways to help, and what these people need is EVERYTHING. The biggest ask has been clothing and shoes, though.
We brought the [things] directly to the hotel. They have a room [where] they’re collecting all of the donations. I’m sure other hotels will accept too.
Thank you,
Emily
Kudos to you. Others need to help out as well. You are a kind person and these people need a lot of help. Maybe do a go fund me?
Best to you,
Maude
Do you have a sense of the ages of the kids and how many? I have lots of gently used toys and clothes that could be donated but they are only going to work for kids under 5/6.
At least 15 kids, all ages. From 2 months to teenagers. There are lots of kids under 5/6 yo. They’d appreciate anything!!!
Emily how can I contact you directly I have plenty to donate
I learned that pads are needed too!
Anything else of high need? Thank you for letting us know about how to help. Will drop off items today!
Kids of all ages from 2 months to teenagers! They would love toys and clothes for kids under 6
How very kind and thoughtful!
What about all the homeless already in NY. I cannot walk anywhere without seeing people with nothing sleeping in the streets. What about them? They need help also.
Joe-
My understanding is that WSR was not ok with commenters insulting others like calling a stranger a “jerk”?
You’re correct, we missed that and have removed it.
Thank you
In my experience, the people asking “what about [x group]” always find when it comes down to reaching into their own pockets that [x group] somehow shouldn’t be helped, either.
They don’t want help and that is the problem. We have agencies visiting these folks daily and they don’t want what is on offer. I know because I call these agencies and nothing happens.
Lisa, I think? what you’re writing is correct. On the 28th there was a popupswapx event between 70th and 71st Street on Columbus Open Streets. I had a long conversation with an older woman resident about how the homeless people she recognized WERE NOT availing themselves of FREE clothing, toiletries, etc. We hypothesized that they might have been self-conscious about their bodies, and wanted to retain some dignity. AND, that mental illness radically interferes with “rational” problem-solving and planning. I am unsure whether DIRECT giving to a person in their “comfort zone” is a strategy.
of course the homeless do too, but with these refugees, we actually know where they are and can judge what t to donate.
There are homeless families of NYers in shelters. We know where they are and can judge what to donate also.
Go for it. Take the initiative and help the homeless – volunteer, collect money from your friends and figure out how to distribute the funds to a homeless advocacy group.
Do you know that all are actually without a home? We have been conditioned to use that term as kinder and more compassionate, but if you talk to them, many actually do have “homes,” many in the neighborhood, this is just what they do during their day. I’m not sure the problem is always lack of housing that they can afford or is otherwise provided for them.
Did it ever dawn on the good people of the UWS that they don’t really know who these “migrants” are.
Are they legit? Maybe yes, maybe not.
Are they here for real asylum or are they here for the free ride?
I’ve read several news reports regarding the immigrants and some of them went into such graphic detail about the violence they’ve endured that I thought I was reading an account of the war in Afghanistan. Here’s a fairly concise report without all of those details from CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/02/us/migrants-new-york-texas-buses/index.html?fbclid=IwAR3IPtnAtNvrcTXiPWT7mncCr1vSGYUkJz1gECvMlQPZBk4IHGi3L02tKnc
FYI Borough President Mark Levine is also coordinating relief efforts. From a recent email:
We want to help our new neighbors feel welcome and equip them with basic necessities. Please donate what you can – drop-off points are at my uptown office (431 W. 125th St.) and downtown office (1 Centre St., 19th floor south).
The below English/Spanish flyers list what we need. Please share these flyers with your networks.
Am surprised many seem unaware that the City houses thousands of homeless families in hotels, and family shelters, with services through non-profits under contract.
There are a number of midtown Times Square etc being used for homeless families .
Also some longtime family shelters on the West Side.
They don’t care about those children.