Profiles > Philanthropy > Henry Street Settlement
Henry Street Settlement
Founded in 1893 by social work pioneer Lillian Wald and based in Manhattan's Lower East Side, Henry Street Settlement (HSS) delivers a wide range of social services, healthcare services, and arts programs to more than 50,000 New Yorkers each year. HSS beneficiaries include low-income individuals and families, survivors of domestic violence, young people, individuals with mental and physical health challenges, senior citizens, and arts and culture enthusiasts who attend performances, classes, and exhibitions at Henry Street’s Abrons Arts Center. HSS’ administrative offices are still located at the original (1832) federal row houses at 263, 265, and 267 Henry Street in Manhattan. Its services are offered at 17 program sites throughout the area. Distinguished by a profound connection to its neighbors, a willingness to address new problems with swift and innovative solutions, and a strong record of accomplishment, HSS challenges the effects of urban poverty by helping families achieve better lives for themselves and their children. Henry Street's core divisions include a multi-disciplinary arts center, shelter and supportive services, behavioral and health services, senior services, home care services,
a workforce development center, day care centers, and after school and summer programs for neighborhood youth.
Services and Programs of HSS are designed to help individuals become self-sufficient by providing access to education, housing, basic nutrition, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Through Henry Street's programs, senior members receive nutrition, case management, and other vital services; youth receive educational, recreational, and employment services; community members receive primary and mental healthcare, free legal and financial counseling, and are provided help to access benefits, such as low-cost health insurance; homeless individuals and families receive shelter and supportive services; the unemployed or underemployed are provided jobs; and thousands of individuals of all ages are provided access to the arts, including dance, music, theater, and visual arts.
Founded 1893
Founder Lillian Wald
Headquarters New York, USA
Type Human Services
2012 Revenues $35,200,000
Charity Navigator 62.04 (four stars)
BBB Not Graded
Guide Star Silver 5/6
Youth Services at HSS provides a safe, structured, and holistic environment within its programs, which help educate and empower, and promote social and emotional development. The youth program includes day care centers, after-school services, college prep programs, youth employment, GED classes, sports and recreation programs, peer HIV prevention program, summer day camp, and adolescent academic services.
  • In 2013, 107 children were enrolled in day care programs
  • 604 youth participated in after-school programs at the agency's five after-school sites
  • 593 youth participated in their college access program
  • 1,228 youth were placed in summer jobs
  • 12 youth were trained as educators around HIV/AIDS prevention
  • 156 young adults developed work readiness skills through the Young Adult Internship Program & Project rise
Transitional and Supportive Housing
offers four homeless shelters, including one for domestic violence survivors. It also provides supportive permanent housing for (formerly) homeless individuals with mental health issues.
  • 414 families and 697 children were provided transitional housing
  • 56 families and 80 single women were provided permanent housing
  • 145 individuals participated in employment workshops via the transitional housing employment program
Senior Programs -- Henry Street offers a wide variety of programs designed to promote the independence and well-being of the growing population of culturally diverse senior members on the Lower East Side. Many of the elderly neighbors are frail and vulnerable, and isolated because of low-income, limited ability to speak English, and reluctance to seek assistance to which they are entitled. All senior member services are free and available in Spanish, Chinese, and English. Services offered to senior members are as follows: Naturally Occurring Retirement Community, the Good Companions Senior Center, a Senior Companion Program, and a Meals-on-Wheels program.
•  125 Senior Companions helped 220 of their frail counterparts remain independent
•  43,109 meals were served to senior members at the Good Companions Senior Center
•   354,910 meals were delivered to homebound seniors members
•  1,248 educational and/or recreational sessions were provided at the Good Companions Senior Center
•  483 senior members were provided services through the Naturally Recurring Retirement Community -- allowing them to age in their own home.
Abrons Arts Center -- Located at 466 Grand Street, AAC offers arts instruction (dance, music, visual arts, and theater) at affordable prices to children and adults, and offers performances in three theaters, including the (1915) playhouse. It also has visual arts exhibitions, Artist-in-Residence workspaces, an Arts-in-Education program, and two summer camps (arts and architecture).
  • 253 performances of 52 productions attracted an audience of 25,468 individuals
  • 376 individuals (1008 registrants) took part in the 104 classes and 273 private lessons in dance, music, theater, and the visual arts
  • 89 youth attended summer arts camp programs
  • 14 exhibitions were organized and seen by 6,000 individuals
  • 8,750 hours of free space for artists were provided through artist residency programs
Workforce Development Center -- Henry Street offers an array of services for individuals seeking employment. The organization’s Workforce Development Center (WDC) provides the tools and resources needed to complete a successful job search. This program is also available for non-fluent English speakers. WDC services are also available to out-of-school, out-of-work youth aged 16-24. Henry Street has several programs for youth seeking employment, including the Summer Youth Employment Program and the Young Adult Internship Program. Key statistics for Fiscal year 2013 are as follows:
  • 838 people completed job readiness training; 434 were placed in jobs
  • 956 individuals created career advancement plans
  • Individuals receiving tax preparation services got $647,142 in refunds
Health and Wellness Services -- State-licensed mental and primary care clinics, psychological counseling, continuing day treatment program, a parent center, HIV family services, and home housekeeping services. Key statistics for fiscal year 2013 are as follows:
  • 838 patients were served through 3,362 visits at the primary care clinic
  • 574 individuals received services through their Outpatient Mental Health clinic, via 8,260 sessions
  • 139 parents enrolled in the Parent Center, which offered 148 workshops
  • 4,685 individuals where assisted in enrolling or re-enrolling in Medicaid, Family, and Child Health Plus
Neighborhood Resource Center -- To provide assistance to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Henry Street's Neighborhood Resource Center can help determine whether one is eligible for benefits, and assists them in applying for programs to recover losses from the hurricane. It is a walk-in facility for benefits screening, legal counseling, and access to affordable health insurance. It also serves as an entry point to other Henry Street programs. Referrals to other programs are based in part on the comprehensive assessment conducted.
JOBS PLUS: Lifting Employment on the Lower East Side
In March 2013, HSS started the Jobs Plus program – It is an employment service for residents of the Jacob Riis and Lillian Wald Houses on the Lower East Side. Some 138 individuals have already undergone orientation, 50 have been placed in jobs, 30 are enrolled in GED classes, and 85 have received financial coaching services.
The program provides opportunities to residents to improve their skills and build confidence to find and keep a job. Services are also available to those already employed who want to advance in their careers. Among the services offered are job placement assistance, financial literacy workshops, GED classes, career advancement assistance, free income tax preparation, access to legal services, and benefit and entitlement screening.
Today, Henry Street is known for its pioneering efforts in social service and health care delivery. Its innovations include the establishment of one of New York City’s first off-street playgrounds (1902); funding the first public school nurse (1902); starting the Visiting Nurse Service, which became independent as the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (1944); opening one of the nation’s first mental health clinics (1946); one of the first transitional housing facilities for the homeless (1972); the first Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) in public housing (1994); and the city’s first Safe Haven shelter for homeless women (2007).
Allocation of Expenses
As per the audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2013, HSS received total support and revenue
of $38.3 million against which total expenses stood at $35.7 million. Of the total expenses, $31 million (87%) were towards program services expenses while $4.7 million were expended towards support services.
How you can help
HSS relies on the generous contributions of supporters to deliver its services. Last year, Henry Street spent 89% of its budget in direct service. The agency has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. All those who are interested in helping HSS can contribute through a number of avenues. Volunteers play an important role at Henry Street Settlement, helping provide enhanced services and maintain their facilities. Each year more than 1,200 individuals participate in volunteer activities at Henry Street's 17 program sites. Volunteers come from all over the city and sometimes beyond. They are community members, corporate employees, young professionals, college students and parents. Interns and individual volunteers who make a long-term commitment to Henry Street use their skills and expertise to support the Settlement’s mission. They may have the opportunity to learn new skills, fulfill community service requirements and earn college credit. Mentors provide important guidance and support to college-bound and current college students to help young adults successfully complete their education and attain their goals. Corporate or group volunteers spend one day of service (three-hour minimum) engaged in activities that may include serving meals to seniors, supporting childhood education and helping to improve Henry Street’s facilities.
To Donate:  www.henrystreet.org
Credits

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3817#.UwSqWWKSyi4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Street_Settlement
http://www.henrystreet.org/programs/
http://www.henrystreet.org/news/publications/news-from-henry-street-fall.pdf