It started with a fear of increasing hate crimes against Asian Americans. It is now a $100,000 project that will pay for taxi rides for seniors and women.
Maddy Park had been watching news about the growing number of anti-Asian hate crimes in New York and other parts of the U.S. Something had to be done to help the most vulnerable members of the community.
Park could afford to take cabs but many others in the Asian American community can't. "I just said look: I have $2,000. If you need a ride, just charge me on Venmo," Park said.
Along with some friends and her $2,000, Park started @CafeMaddyCab on Instagram. In two days, CafeMaddyCab raised more than $100,000 to help pay for Asian American seniors and women.
Park was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support "from all across the nation, across all races, ethnicities." She said the donations confirmed how much support there was for the Asian community in New York.
So far, the project, which is only three days old, allows for Venmo payments. However, Park's team plans to expand options for those who can't use the payment service.
Park is just one of many trying to make life easier for Asian Americans who have either become victims of hate crimes or are vulnerable to these attacks.
Yelp announced Wednesday it would introduce a tool to make it easier for people to find Asian owned businesses. It will allow business owners to choose if they want to list their business as "Asian owned."
Yelp joint founder and chief executive Jeremy Stoppelman wrote in a blog post that "patronizing Asian-owned businesses is one small step we can all take to drive meaningful change and create lasting impact."
In Carlisle, Pennsylvania, around 100 people participated in a walk and rally late Tuesday that sought to display support for the Asian American community.
It aims to educate people about the community and how interested citizens can help "commit to anti-racist work."
Joint chairperson for the Greater Carlisle Responders Network Jan Arminio said part of its goal was to encourage realization that there are people willing to learn more about the Asian American community.
