About

In 1996, a small group of volunteers on Charleston’s West Side started organizing clean-ups and beautification projects. They chose action over waiting, and that effort became the West Side Neighborhood Association.

What began with a handful of neighbors and a shared belief in their block has grown into 30 years of visible, neighbor-led change. Today, WSNA continues to turn ideas into action across the largest neighborhood in Charleston.

The West Side is full of character, shaped by its history, architecture, public art, and most importantly, its people. Neighbors show up for one another here. Whether it is helping during an emergency or pitching in on a project, there is a strong sense of pride and connection that defines this community.

What Guides Our Work

Our Mission
To empower neighbors and foster unity within our community by driving visible change through neighborhood initiatives and projects.

Our Vision
A vibrant, welcoming West Side that inspires pride, collaboration, and well-being for all.

Our Values
Neighborly – We center the voices and well-being of our neighbors.
Golden Rule – We treat all living things as we wish to be treated.
Hard Work – We do the hard work needed to create real change in our neighborhood.

What We Do

WSNA focuses on practical, visible work that supports neighbors and strengthens the community:

Clean-Up and Beautification – Supporting resident-led efforts like Love UR Block and ongoing neighborhood improvements
Home Safe – Providing practical safety resources like fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, solar lights, and visible house numbers to help neighbors stay safe and help first responders respond faster
Neighbor Connection – Regular socials, events, and opportunities to meet, learn, and collaborate
Resource Navigation – Connecting residents to trusted local organizations and services
Volunteer Activation – Making it easy for neighbors to take action on their own blocks

Everything we do is grounded in one idea. Neighbors know what their neighborhood needs, and we are here to support that.

Partnerships That Make It Possible

WSNA works closely with the City of Charleston, including Planning, Police, Fire, and Public Works, to address neighborhood needs and support programs like Home Safe and neighborhood clean-up efforts.

We also partner with organizations across healthcare, substance use recovery, youth services, housing, environmental justice, and small business development. These relationships allow us to connect neighbors with resources while expanding what is possible on the West Side.

Our board reflects this collaborative spirit, bringing together local leaders, business owners, and community advocates who are invested in the neighborhood’s future.

Our Reach

The West Side is the largest neighborhood in Charleston, stretching from the Elk River to the Kanawha River, west to the Dunbar city line, and along Route 25 to Sugar Creek.

It is a big, diverse, and deeply connected community, and we are proud to serve it.

Get Involved

Whether you have lived here your whole life or just arrived, there is a place for you at WSNA.

Come to a Neighbor Social. Join a clean-up. Bring an idea. Meet your neighbors.

Because real change does not come from waiting. It starts right here on your block.h to be treated.