As the first settlement house in the United States, founded in 1886, University Settlement embodies the settlement ideal — working from within the community to buoy the lives of individuals, families and the collective whole. To this day, our historic headquarters on the corner of Rivington and Eldridge Streets serves as a vital neighborhood anchor.

No longer a literal home for immigrants, as it was in the early days, the Settlement remains a haven for Lower East Side residents of all ages. Here, they can find the best in child care, pre-school, housing assistance, mental health services, college and career preparation, crisis intervention, senior services, arts events, English classes, afterschool programs and more.

Beyond the day-to-day, University Settlement consistently looks to the future, pioneering new ideas, advocating for those most in need, and reinventing the settlement ideal for successive generations. It is this convergence of tradition and innovation that makes University Settlement a standout among community-based social service organizations.