United States Settlement movement

bohemian immigrant youth @ lessie bates davis neighborhood house in 1918 in east st. louis, illinois

between 1890 , 1910, more 12 million european people immigrated united states. came ireland, russia, italy , other european countries , provided cheap factory labor, demand created country s expansion west following civil war. many immigrants lived in crowded , disease-ridden tenements, worked long hours, , lived in poverty. children worked support family. jacob riis wrote how other half lives lives of immigrants on new york city s lower east side bring greater awareness of immigrant s living conditions.

the famous settlement house in united states chicago s hull house, founded jane addams , ellen gates starr in 1889 after addams visited toynbee hall within previous 2 years. hull house, though, not religious-based organization. focused on providing education , recreational facilities european immigrant women , children. lenox hill neighborhood house, founded in 1894, friendly inn settlement house, founded in 1874, henry street settlement, founded in 1893, hiram house, founded in 1896, , university settlement house, founded in 1886 , oldest in united states, were, hull house, important sites social reform. united neighborhood houses of new york federation of 38 settlement houses in new york city. these , other settlement houses inspired establishment of settlement schools serve isolated rural communities in appalachia.

by 1913, there 413 settlements in 32 states. 1920s, there 500 settlement houses in country. settlement house concept continued dorothy day s catholic worker hospitality houses in 1930s.

american settlement houses functioned on philosophy of “scientific philanthropy,” belief instead of giving direct relief, charities should give resources poor break out of circle of poverty. american charity workers feared entrenched social class system in europe develop in united states.