Parent Organization
West Side Center for Community Life, Inc.
Caring for Our City
The West Side Center for Community Life, Inc. (WSCCL) was formed as an umbrella for six thriving community cultural, service and action groups on the New York City’s Upper West Side, and is a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. WSCCL provides offices and work space for 40 staff and an average of 50 volunteers per day for constituent organizations in the basement of The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, and is visited by 1,500 to 3,000 people weekly. Constituent organizations include:
West Side Center for Community Life, Inc.
263 West 86th Street
New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-362-1404
Fax: 212-873-8129
WestSideCtr@aol.com
A not-for-profit organization providing social and cultural services to the community.
Board of Directors
- Dr. Kenneth J. Guest, President
- G. Morris Gurley, Vice President
- James Melchiorre, Secretary
- James F. Karpen
- Connie Coddington
As of June 2002
Sponsoring Congregations
- The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew
- Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
- Church of St. Matthew and St. Timothy
- Congregation Rodeph Sholom
- American Sufi Muslim Association
West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH), established in 1978, is New York City’s largest food pantry. Nearly 1,700 people are fed more than 15,000 meals each week in addition to nutrition, health and wellness counseling, and training programs. WSCAH’s clients are primarily families with children (nearly 70%); an additional 8% are seniors, and the balance of its clients is single adults. Nearly one quarter of its client base is on public assistance; and 39% are working poor, 15% are disabled, and 8% are retired.
West Side Ecumenical Ministry to the Elderly (WEME) is a Mainstream Health and Nutrition Center Meals on Wheels program that has operated for more than 30 years. Each year, WEME prepares and delivers nearly 200,000 meals to homebound elderly residents in the community. These fresh, home-cooked meals provide essential nutrition every day as well as much-needed human contact. With its regular contact, WEME can refer clients to other service agencies when needed.
Homework Helps, provides tutoring services to over 30 young people each year, and is staffed by volunteers from The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew.
The Homeless Shelter, operated by Congregation B’nai Jeshurun and Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew provides beds for eight individuals on a regular basis.
The West End Theatre has four performing companies in residence providing outstanding arts programs.
The Pan Asian Repertory is a 25 year old theater company focusing on work by Asian artists. In addition to its full production season and educational programming for young people in New York City, Pan Asian has toured productions around the world.
The 10 year old Six Figures Theater Company focuses on the work of women writers, directors and performers.
Prospect Theater Company produces new musical works based on classics.
David Parker and The Bang Group is a dance company which uses humor and wit in its eclectic style. It tours around the globe.
The SAME DIFFERENCE Interfaith Alliance is a coalition of Jewish, Muslim and Christian groups who came together in response to the events of September 11, 2001 to help heal racial, cultural and religious tensions throughout America. Using a unique methodology that translates one-on-one interviews into artistic expression, our goal is to help communities and individuals use the arts as a medium to build the integrated relationships needed to bring about a pluralistic society.