Photo by Katie Chirichillo
Want to get out and help your local community but not sure how? Consider donating, volunteering, or joining up with these local community support groups.
Over the weekend and through this week, outrage over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has blossomed into a national movement protesting racial discrimination, police violence, and a lack of governmental oversight and accountability. With solidarity vigils and marches from Yonkers all the way up to Peekskill, Westchester County has not been devoid of this movement.
While peaceful protest is being not only tolerated but often encouraged by local county leaders, sometimes it can feel like not enough to effect real and immediate change. If you’re looking for a way to make a broader impact, here are local black nonprofits you can donate time and money to right now to help support and lift up Westchester’s black population.
African American Men of Westchester
AAMW is comprised of young and established men who have “distinguished themselves in various professions and have made significant contributions to multiple civic and community-based organizations.” The organization bands together to tackle local issues such as education, environmental justice, domestic violence awareness, and youth empowerment.
BlackLine
BlackLine is a Hudson Valley-based 24/7 crisis hotline for anyone to report inappropriate interactions with law enforcement or vigilante agents. Calls are entirely private and as anonymous as callers wish and can also include validation and light crisis management for those who need to talk through their experiences. 1.800.604.5841
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-aiOcAau8/
Black Lives Matter Hudson Valley
The official Hudson Valley Chapter of the BLM movement organizes through an open Facebook group to organize, disseminate resources, and share information.
Local NAACP Affiliates
The NAACP has deep roots in Westchester, with local branches in New Rochelle, Peekskill, and White Plains-Greenburg.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_-x-bCnQgr/
Hudson Valley Civil Liberties Union
Membership includes membership in the ACLU and New York’s own NYCLU and was originally founded as the Westchester Civil Liberties Union back in 1962. It now additionally covers Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster counties, providing public education, governmental oversight, and legislative advocacy for all local residents.
Showing Up for Racial Justice – Westchester
SURJ is a multi-racial coalition group dedicated to bringing members of all backgrounds together to oppose racial bias, violence, and discrimination, with a special emphasis placed on mobilizing white community members to stand up with and for their disproportionately disenfranchised neighbors.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA8YMmhJc1_/
Urban League of Westchester
The ULW has been operating for more than 100 years, helping African Americans, as well as other minorities and disadvantaged community members, to become self-sufficient and thrive in Westchester.
Read More: A Century of Helping African Americans
Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc.
WBWPC is a political group with chapters in Greenburg, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Peekskill, and Yonkers, dedicated to supporting black women in local and state politics. New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is herself a member.