University Settlement

University Settlement | 2011 | 3 Minutes 30 Seconds

Nearly 130 years ago, University Settlement launched an innovative movement that changed New York City and the country.

With University Settlement leading, settlement houses established the idea that immigrants and low-income families deserve basic services like quality education, decent housing, access to open space for exercise and health, and support for the aging. They proved that with a little help, these families could get a foothold on the American dream.

Providing social services that give families a helping hand has become part of our national fabric. University Settlement has continued to set the standard and invent best practices for others to follow in America.

Today, University Settlement has remained true to its first principle: to strengthen a community, you must strengthen families. And to strengthen a family, you must provide a range of services and support.  Not just childcare.  Not just after-school programs.  Not just education for adults or meals for seniors.

Providing integrated services that strengthen a whole family makes all the difference.