Mission
FOUNDED IN 1893 BY SOCIAL REFORMER LILLIAN WALD, HENRY STREET SETTLEMENT'S MISSION IS TO OPEN DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY TO ENRICH LIVES AND ENHANCE HUMAN PROGRESS FOR LOWER EAST SIDE RESIDENTS AND OTHER NEW YORKERS THROUGH SOCIAL SERVICES, ARTS, AND HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS. AS ONE OF THE NATION'S FIRST SETTLEMENT HOUSES, HENRY STREET'S APPROACH TO HUMAN SERVICES HAS ALWAYS BEEN PLACE-BASED AND PARTICIPANT-INCLUSIVE, DESIGNED TO MEET THE FULL SPECTRUM OF HUMAN NEEDS AND EVOLVING TO EFFECTIVELY SERVE CHANGING COMMUNITY PRIORITIES. THIS APPROACH, WHICH IS AS RELEVANT TODAY AS IT WAS 132 YEARS AGO, IS REFLECTED IN ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS THAT REACH MORE THAN 50,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY ACROSS 17 PROGRAM SITES THROUGHOUT THE LOWER EAST SIDE.