Established in 1891, Northwestern University Settlement Association has never stopped working to assist the West Town/Humboldt Park communities in Chicago.  Our House, modeled after Toynbee Hall in London, (the origin of the Settlement movement in 1884) is the oldest Settlement in the City of Chicago to remain in continuous operation.  We are also one of the few traditional Settlement Houses remaining in the entire country.

The original Settlement concept of Toynbee Hall was to build a large house in the middle of a community and to recruit university faculty and graduates to work and live at the House.  The staff and volunteers were to function as neighbors in the community and become a focal point to gather resources from a broad area, which would empower community residents to make changes in their lives and the environment in which they lived.  The concept became known as the University Settlement Model.

Faculty and administrators of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois originated our Settlement.  The Settlement was developed as an independent not-for-profit corporation with no governance or funding from the University.

The purpose of our Settlement is to assist families and individuals in overcoming the obstacles of poverty and inadequate resources, so that they may lead more fulfilling and productive lives.  We provide help for the immediate short-term crisis, as well as support, knowledge and opportunities to improve their lives over the long-term.

Providing alternatives is the central focus of the philosophy of Northwestern University Settlement.  The needs of hunger and shelter are met with food and assistance with housing expenses.  Limited expectations, lack of information, and isolation are countered by new learning experiences that promote self-confidence, motivation, and an increased awareness of opportunities in the world beyond the local community.

Core programs at the Settlement include: Emergency Assistance, Head Start, Elementary After School Programs, Teen Programs, Resident Camping, Performing Arts, and Adult/Family Social Gatherings.  This basic set of programs has been the centerpiece around which many other programs and services have, and continue to develop, over the years. These programs are the primary draw to bring neighbors to the Settlement and ultimately involve them in a variety of existing and newly developed opportunities.

In recent years, the relationship of the camp and arts programs to neighborhood schools has enabled the development of our AmeriCorps program.  The active involvement of Emergency Assistance and After School Youth programs provided the draw for partnerships with Northwestern University Law School and Scholarship & Guidance Association.  The combination of programs, relationship to community, and reputation of the Settlement made possible the development of Noble Street Charter High School.  Partnerships and specialized programs (sometimes short term) change over time, but the strength and stability of our core programs is the foundation, which allows for evolution and new growth.

Key Elements Of Philosophy

• All staff members are expected to have responsibilities in multiple program and support areas to facilitate a holistic team approach to our work.  All staff members should respond to any neighbor who enters our front door regarding any problem, situation or inquiry about programs or services.

• The goal of the Settlement worker/neighbor relationship should be self-sufficiency, strength and option enhancing.

• Our goal is to create an environment that encourages volunteers and staff to see people as having opportunities and options rather than problems or deficits.

• All of the programs/departments are interwoven and interdependent so as to provide a continuum of services and ongoing communication.  Our management structure is not a traditional pyramid; rather, it tends towards that of a matrix.

• The Settlement is a fluid organization that is constantly learning, changing, and evolving as needs, circumstances, and opportunities change within the greater community.  The acceptance of evolution and change is imperative in maintaining the Settlement's vitality.

• The Settlement incorporates extensive networking with neighborhood schools, police, other social services, and established as well as emerging community organizations, which facilitates the ever-changing development of partnerships, programs and services.

• We believe that creation of specialized services should be avoided if we can facilitate providers (agencies) reaching out to our targeted community.

• All Settlement staff members are generalists and part of a team that uses multiple skills to facilitate empowerment and opportunity for neighbors.  We do not place much importance on titles and embrace open and constant communication.

• Rules and guidelines are grounded in the belief that people will behave with basic honesty and trustworthiness.  If in doubt, we will always lean towards belief in the person.

• All facilities are seen as resources, which can facilitate programs and opportunity.  Frequently, the Settlement brings facilities to the partnership table, which then enables the creation of programs in collaboration with other entities.

• All facilities must be seen as role models for the community at large just as the staff members are role models for participants.

• The foundation for the entire organization is board leadership and commitment to philosophy, sound financial management and up-to-date infrastructure.

Settlements across the country, as well as worldwide, maintain contact with one another through the United Neighborhood Centers of America and the International Federation Of Settlements.  Links to these orgaizations are below:

International Federation Of Settlements

United Neighborhood Centers of America