University Settlement Society of New York

Supporting affordable housing for older adults and green space for everyone in the neighborhood! 🏠 After years of debate, the city is finally moving forward with plans to build affordable senior housing on Elizabeth Street, which is great news - this project is essential to providing much-needed housing for older adults in our community, and the plans the Mayor and HPD have signed off on will ensure that the site will continue to make significant green space open to everyone in the community. This week, our LEARN team gathered more than 40 letters from our neighbors to thank our representatives for supporting the plan. Liuba and her letter are pictured.

We’re thrilled to announce that Barbara DiGangi, our Director of Community Wellness Initiatives, has been named a 2024 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow! 🎉 Barbara’s work with our Families Thriving program is reshaping mental health and wellness supports for thousands of families across the city. As part of the Ascend Fellowship, she’ll collaborate with other leaders to advance systemic change that prioritizes mental health and wellness nationwide. “If our mental health and education systems collaborated on innovative and holistic approaches, it could foster academic success, unlock possibilities, and ensure long-term intergenerational prosperity,” says Barbara. The Aspen Institute Ascend Fellowship is an 18-month leadership program that supports a diverse group of 22 advocates committed to transforming systems for the well-being of children and families. Through reflection, collaboration, and action, Fellows develop strategies that drive policy change and build intergenerational family success. Congratulations, Barbara! We’re excited to see how you continue to shape systems that uplift children, families, and communities. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gpnECPVv #NYCisUS

University Settlement is closed today in recognition of Labor Day. Rest, relax, and recharge – you’ve earned it! #NYCisUS

Join us this Saturday at Festival Calle 6 as we celebrate our very own Monique Flores! 🥳 Monique will be honored for her incredible 24-year journey with University Settlement with a special proclamation from New York City Council Member Chris Marte. As our Associate Executive Director for Youth, Community, and the Arts, Monique has been a powerful advocate for equity, championing programs that support youth and their families across 17 of our locations. A Lower East Side resident herself, Monique has played an essential role in expanding opportunities for our neighbors. The festival will take place on Saturday, August 17, from 12 PM to 6 PM on East 6th Street between Avenue D and FDR Drive. We hope to see you there! #NYCisUS

We’re delighted to announce our upcoming partnership with Women Creating Change (WCC), which will bring civic engagement and advocacy training to University Settlement’s staff and participants! 🎉 Women Creating Change is a nonprofit dedicated to fostering a more just and equitable New York City where all women are civically engaged. “Partnering with the WCC will empower our staff and community members to make an even greater impact through civic engagement,” said Jennifer Vallone, our Associate Executive Director for Arts, Adults, and Advocacy. “Our teams and the neighbors we work with have unparalleled knowledge of how policy decisions affect our communities – knowledge that should be considered by our policymakers and representatives. Stay tuned for more updates on Women Creating Change! #NYCisUS

Children's Corner just got a makeover thanks to our amazing community partners! 🛠️ Our early childhood education center in East New York received a wonderful refresh with help from volunteers from Ryan LLC’s New York office, led by Tony Gulotta. Their team set up gardening beds on the rooftop and built an amazing tree house in the gym for our little ones to explore. They also assembled basketball hoops, soccer nets, Cozy Coupes, a Lego wall, and many other fun toys and supplies. This project wouldn't have been possible without their generous financial contributions, which funded all the new equipment and materials. A big thank you to all 17 volunteers for their dedication and hard work in enhancing our spaces. Your hard work is greatly appreciated! #EarlyChildhood #NYCisUS

We’re delighted to announce that Joanna Weiner, Senior Counsel at NYC Health + Hospitals, has been elected to University Settlement’s Board of Directors. Joanna has worked as a health care lawyer for more than 20 years, serving as in-house counsel for non-profit hospitals and as outside counsel for a variety of not-for-profit health care entities. In her current role, she leads NYC Health + Hospitals’ health care regulatory practice. A graduate of Harvard College, she received her J.D. from Boston University School of Law. Joanna lives in Brooklyn with her husband, two teenagers, and their dog; outside of work, she sings in a treble choir and serves on its board. “We are grateful to welcome Joanna to our Board,” said Melissa E. Aase, CEO of University Settlement. “Her insight into New York City’s healthcare systems will be directly relevant to many of our most important strategic goals, and I look forward to calling on her counsel.” For more on Joanna Weiner, visit https://lnkd.in/ec6Nm3sw #NYCisUS

Our Communications Director Dave Hughes has an op-ed in NYN Media today calling on NYC government and philanthropists to invest in settlement houses as a way of effectively welcoming immigrants: "From English literacy, to pre-school, to food assistance, to housing advocacy, settlement houses are a comprehensive solution for setting immigrants up for success. With increased strategic investment, we stand ready to build the next New York.” Read more https://buff.ly/3XU5W23

Check out these shots from the recent Rally for Mental Health at City Hall, where Marilus Castellanos, our Senior Program Director of Early Childhood Mental Health and Family Wellness, delivered a powerful speech as community members demanded mental health funding be restored to FY23 levels: “We are grateful for the City Council’s Children Under 5 Initiative, which supports Butterflies, and we call for a full restoration of funds to FY23 levels. For all children to thrive, they need to be in safe, nurturing, and predictable relationships. These are the basis for future learning and social emotional well-being. Our community needs more. We currently have a waitlist. With a major clinic closing in Brownsville, our program in East New York will be one of the very few that serves families with young children. We know the Council understands the vital work that CBOs do. Please fully fund our programs so we can continue this work.” Read Marilus's full remarks at https://lnkd.in/enBdMdEk #MentalHealth #EarlyChildhood #NYCisUS

We’re delighted to share our Annual Report for 2023! As a member of the University Settlement family, we want you to hear about the remarkable impact your support makes on the great work of our participants, staff, and neighbors across our 30+ program sites in Lower Manhattan and in Brooklyn. Everyone should have the opportunity to be the architect of their own life. Forging connections with our neighbors to build stronger communities is Our Blueprint for a stronger NYC. Check it out at https://lnkd.in/eWT_yxf #AnnualReport #OurBlueprint #NYCisUS