Maddy Park

Maddy Park is the founder of CafemaddyCAB, an initiative that pays for private Uber and Lyft rides for female, elderly and LGBTQ Asian people. 100% of donations to CafemaddyCAB go back to people who need a cab ride for their safety.

Park started this initiative because she knows what it feels like to be an Asian woman in the subway these days. She also know what it's like to be forced to take the train or walk even if she's scared, because she can't afford the cab fares. CafemaddyCAB has been set up for the vulnerable in her community, who need these cab rides paid for.

Park, who goes by CafeMaddy on social media, started the Instagram page @CafeMaddyCab for the endeavor on April 2, 2021, and explained that all users have to do is provide a selfie proving they are who they say they are and a screenshot of the ride receipt proving it's in New York City. Then, they can Venmo request her for the cost of the ride, and she will reimburse them for up to $40. Though Park stopped taking donations once she reached $100,000, she said she will now take them once again through PayPal and begin expanding the business.

"We will use funds to support additional rides in NYC and also help fund & jump start similar initiatives in cities across the nation," she wrote on Instagram. "So far we have one coming up for LA, SF started one on @calikyecab and expecting more people to organize in their own city."