News & Events » Borough President Stringer's Press ConferenceMelissa Aase's Opening RemarksWelcome to University Settlement's Senior Center. This year the Settlement is 120 years old. We are America's first Settlement house, and since 1886, from our beginnings in a little basement on Forsyth Street until now, in eight locations serving about ten thousand people per year, we have been a home for immigrants of all ages, from all over the world. Our philosophy has always been that everyone who visits the Settlement brings their own strengths, knowledge and dignity, not just needs, and that in all the exchanges that happen daily — in our childcare programs, on the dance floor here at the Senior Center, in a counseling or tutoring session, or on the bus to rally at City Hall or the State Capitol — we are all givers, and all receivers. We're all much, much better for having worked, learned, played, and fought for the community together. We know the depth of need for more services and a more welcoming attitude for immigrants, and so we are very proud to welcome Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Allen Wernick, Director of CUNY's Citizenship and Immigration Project, Don Lee from Community Board 2, and Rocky Chin from Community Board 3, to our home to make an announcement about a very important new service for immigrants. |
