About USES

A baby girl in a USES early childhood education classroom finger painting

Est. 1892

Who we are

Located in the historic South End neighborhood in Boston, USES has been uplifting families and individuals of all backgrounds since 1892. Our founding vision continues today: create an inclusive community where neighbors from all walks of life work together to thrive, promote economic mobility, and build social capital to disrupt the generational cycles of poverty.

For parents and caregivers, we offer financial support including a guaranteed income program to help parents reach their goals. We believe in the power of community and connection to uplift families, utilizing a social capital model to strengthen outcomes and overall well-being.

For children and youth, we provide high-quality education and enrichment opportunities that foster personal development and social-emotional skills including perseverance, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving – Early Childhood Education, club48 out of school time programming, and Camp Hale on Squam Lake in New Hampshire.

We believe that safe, inclusive, passionate environments enable our children to thrive in and out of the classroom. Across our programs, you will find a team that is passionate about supporting the whole family and bringing together a diverse and welcoming community from well beyond the borders of the South End.

Three children in the USES early childhood education program playing in toy cars and smiling at the camera

mission

Our mission

Our mission is to harness the power of our diverse community to disrupt the cycle of poverty for children and their families.

We believe that as families increase their income and assets, become more resilient and connect to a diverse network, they and their children are more likely to develop the necessary skills to disrupt the cycle of poverty.

Teachers and young children walking in a line in front of a brick building.

WE BELIEVE

Our core values

Community: We believe in engaging the entire community as a catalyst in our model of service that helps children, and their families build strong, trusting, and mutually beneficial relationships.

Diversity: We believe that we achieve the greatest positive impact on children and their families when we include people from various backgrounds, skill sets, and perspectives in disrupting the cycle of poverty

Opportunity: We believe that all people have potential and deserve access to top quality educational and economic opportunities.

At USES, we believe that we thrive when we belong.

History

Our History

1892

United South End Settlements (USES) was founded in 1892 as Andover House, the first settlement house in Boston.

1900

Camp Hale was founded by Hale House to provide neighborhood children with a safe place to play and access nature.

1904:

Six Black women opened the Harriet Tubman House at 37 Holyoke Street in the South End. At that time, it was a boarding house that provided shelter, food and clothing for women. Harriet Tubman was named honorary president of the Harriet Tubman House four years before her death on March 10, 1913.

1914

The Children’s Art Centre, located at 36 Rutland Street in Boston’s South End, was incorporated and became the first public fine arts museum designed exclusively for children.

1959

Post-World War II, each Settlement House in the South End consolidated five houses into one, United South End Settlements, to address a decrease of resources.

1990

President George H.W. Bush signed March 10 into law as Harriet Tubman Day.

2012

Camp Hale began welcoming girls, an overdue break from tradition.

2020

USES continues to support families and children during the Covid-19 pandemic by providing virtual programming, one-on-one coaching, and beginning a Food Distribution service to families in need.

2021

USES holds its first-ever virtual Neighborhood Gala, raising over $300,000!

2022

USES returns to hosting our Neighborhood Gala in May, raising over $458,000!

2023

USES celebrates its 130th anniversary.