Northwestern University Settlement

Northwestern University Settlement Association (Northwestern Settlement) nurtures, educates, and inspires children and families in need, empowering them to take personal responsibility and attain self‐sufficiency. Since its founding in 1891 by Northwestern University (as a separate and financially independent institution), Northwestern Settlement has served Chicago's West Town community by offering wrap‐around services that holistically meet the complex needs our “neighbors.”  Through a wide variety of programs and services that focus on education, social services, and the arts, Northwestern Settlement staff and volunteers served more than 40,000 neighbors each year.

We believe it is important to invest in our children to ensure a brighter future. Our children and youth programs have been carefully designed in order to provide activities that are appropriate both physically and developmentally for each child. Our youngest children are served by our Head Start program; children then have the opportunity to enroll into Rowe Elementary School.  Children can also take part in our School Age Program (an after school program), and youth and teens have the option to attend our House In The Wood summer camp.  The AmeriCorps Project YES! team works with children at Northwestern Settlement and eight local schools, in addition to mobilizing community volunteers.

We also believe in empowering and supporting our neighbors and the family as a whole. We have a multitude of programs that provide the support to empower our families to tackle the challenges they encounter and to grow and thrive in the West Town community.  Our Emergency Services Program meets immediate needs through a food pantry, direct assistance, and holiday services.  Adventure Stage Chicago creates dynamic and transformative theatre for young audiences that activates the imagination, inspires dialogue and strengthens community among families, educators and artists.