 |
 Home About Us Programs How to Help Our Friends Rentals Jobs About Us
USES' mission is to act as a catalyst, bringing together resources of participants, the community, and the agency to promote the stabilization and well-being of individuals and groups at risk within the community, nurture personal growth and development, build a sense of community, and foster an environment where all can thrive. To fulfill its mission, USES provides comprehensive programs that address the needs of individuals and families, from infants to seniors, including pre-school and after-school child care, vacation and summer day camps, residential camping, family services, referrals and support, adult basic education and job readiness, computer classes and open access to technology in the Timothy Smith Computer Learning Center, and senior services such as home repair, benefits advocacy, health screenings and education, home visits and recreation. USES was incorporated in its current form in 1960, following the merger of four of Boston's first settlement houses, South End House, Hale House, Lincoln House, the original Harriet Tubman House, and the Children's Art Centre. It was these and other settlements which established the first training programs for early childhood and kindergarten teachers, the first nursery schools, mothers' groups, children's lending libraries, and neighborhood playgrounds. Boston's first Montessori School was established by the settlements in 1915, and the founders and pioneering students of both Simmons College and Wheelock College lived and worked here. Sanitation, health, and safety as well as education also were critical concerns for the settlement houses. They were instrumental in establishing the South Bay Union Milk Station which brought about sanitary methods in processing and selling milk. One of the city's first well-baby clinics and the "Baby Hygiene Association" were established by settlement house workers in 1914.
Each year, USES reaches 4,000 community residents through its multiple programs, and community-building events, and as a center for community meetings and organizing. The agency affects many more people, however, by offering its facilities for community
meetings; weddings, birthday parties, memorial services, and other important neighborhood rituals and
celebrations; by organizing civic projects; and through USES-sponsored arts and cultural events. The Settlement House Tradition From their earliest days, settlements offered a mix of direct services and community advocacy. Education and recreation, camping, job skills training, preventive health care, cultural enrichment, licensing and operation of lodging houses, and a host of other services were offered side-by-side with
organizing to improve municipal services and housing conditions. Archive An archive of important documents and records represents the history of United South End Settlements and is maintained at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. You may view information about the archive using the Northeastern Archives and Special Collections Finding Aid on the university's web site. Nondiscrimination and Privacy Policies Last Update: 03/21/2008
© Copyright 2007,
United South End Settlements, All Rights Reserved |
|||||||||
