Student Spotlight: Ellie Usdin (Form VI) Smiles

There are endless ways to make someone smile: tell a good joke, give someone a good hug, do them a favor etc.

Ellie Usdin (Form VI), who radiates positivity, made it her mission to make as many Upper West Siders smile as possible, choosing community service as her smile generator.

Usdin and her cousin, Sydney Shankman, a senior at Bronx High School of Science, started an organization in 2021 called “West Side Smiles” (WSS) (not to be confused with any UWS dentist offices), which targets homelessness in NYC by creating hygiene supply kits for those currently in shelters– containing the necessities like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant etc – and hosting programming to involve the local community and destigmatize homelessness, according to the West Side Smiles website.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the rate of homelessness in NYC grew exponentially, even with certain government measures in place. “I remember watching news reports about it,” said Usdin. “I remember being in my apartment and feeling helpless.”

From their desire to help and pent-up COVID energy, Usdin and Shankman started researching homelessness in NYC, figuring out small ways to support others around them. They hosted their first event in December 2021, a small Zoom “Game Night” with family and friends, which raised enough money to package 50 hygiene kits and send them to a shelter.

West Side Smiles (WSS) partnered with the Bowery Mission and the Covenant House, both homeless shelters in NYC. From the first day, “we were met with such a positive response,” said Usdin.

Since its inception, WSS has taken off with bake sales, kit packaging days, and other fundraising events. One of the most notable, and noble, was when Usdin, as founder, ran the Real Simple Women’s Half Marathon in April. “I love running, I’ve been doing it since elementary school,” said Usdin, who currently captains Fieldston’s cross-country team for the third year in a row. “I wanted to combine my passion for running with West Side Smiles.” Usdin created a GoFundMe, promoted it on social media and sent it around her community. “As I was running, it felt like I wasn’t just running it for myself,” said Usdin. “I was doing it for something more.” She plans to run again this spring.

Shankman and Usdin both credit their families for the support. “It’s become a family mission,” said Usdin. “They’ve watched us and the organization grow.” WSS has the air of a family affair: Shankman and Usdin’s grandparents love to attend, and as they buzz around, overseeing the event, the two founders have to stop for a grandmotherly kiss of the cheek every once in a while.

While she’s learned a lot from her family, Usdin attributes many of her moral beliefs to her religion – Judaism. While attending a Jewish preschool and Rodeph Sholom Synagogue for Hebrew School, Usdin learned “tikkun olam,” which means repairing the world. “I think of it as doing good for others,” said Usdin. “It’s the first thing I think of when I think of Judaism.” Tying back to their Jewish community, Usdin and Shankman got their congregation involved by organizing and hosting multiple events at Rodeph.

Starting in November, WSS will begin events at elementary schools: hosting presentations to destigmatize homelessness and getting the kids to help hands-on by packaging hygiene kits. Awarded the Karma for Cara grant, WSS has an increased budget for kit supplies. Currently, WSS is in talks to lead the NYC Winter Walk, which spreads awareness about homelessness.

“Fieldston teaches us to appreciate and interact with the NYC community,” said Usdin, who encourages Fieldston students to get involved with WSS and their community. “This is my opportunity to do so,” she said.

When she speaks about her organization, Usdin glows with an imperceptible air of servitude, as well as the down-to-earthness needed to recognize her own privilege. “There’s no cure for homelessness, it’s too large an issue,” said Usdin. “As a teenager, I can’t fix this issue on my own, but by donating hygiene supplies and basic necessities, we’re hoping we can take one small step to help anyone navigate this moment in their lives.”

Donate to West Side Smiles’ Winter Walk Page: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/winterwalk2025-nyc/team/974168/

West Side Smiles Website: https://sites.google.com/view/westsidesmiles 

West Side Smiles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidesmiles_/