Henry Street Settlement opens doors of opportunity for Lower East Side residents and other New Yorkers through social service, arts, and health care programs.
Raised by his grandmother in the Jacob Riis Houses on the Lower East Side, Jason Batista, 37, had an associate degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and aspired to be a Nassau County police officer. But, in his early 20s, Jason experienced a tragic incident that sent his plans off course. On November… Read More »
In 2023, Henry Street elected two new board co-chairs, Catherine Curley Lee and Ed Pallesen. They assumed the positions that had been filled by Scott Swid and Ian Highet, who served generously as chairs for eight and four years, respectively. As a managing director at Goldman Sachs in 2009, Ed was looking for a volunteer… Read More »
It’s 11:30 a.m. on a weekday, and members of the Henry Street Settlement Older Adult Center are lining up for lunch. A rotating menu features dishes ranging from Salisbury steak and seasonal steamed vegetables to fish tacos and elote (grilled Mexican corn) salad. The meals are cooked in large batches and served to more than… Read More »
In January 2024, Shanell Kitt, LMSW, assumed the role of director for the CONNECT (Continuous Engagement between Community and Clinic Treatment) program. As a licensed social worker and artist, she brings a unique perspective to her role, combining evidence-based therapy techniques with the power of self-expression. “I started painting in 2014, which was also the… Read More »
Rambler participants design, sew, model, and sell their hand-made creations. Photo: Rashawn Austin During the lonely pandemic summer of 2020, a fashion design program intended to unleash young people’s talent took root on the Lower East Side. Starting online, then in person the next summer, and now appearing at the Artists & Fleas market in… Read More »
Janae Kellam, 19, playing basketball at 301 Henry Street after school. For Janae Kellam, playing basketball does not feel optional. The SUNY Maritime student travels two hours from college to Henry Street’s courts on the Lower East Side—so she can unwind on the court at the end of the day—before taking the train another half… Read More »
Last year’s Self Expression Through Art group culminated in an artshow where participants present their art to the community at our Dale Jones Burch Neighborhood Center on Henry Street. Every Thursday from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., a blended group of CONNECT enrolled clients and community members gather at Henry Street Settlement’s Community Consultation Center… Read More »
In the fall of 2023, members of United Neighborhood Houses, including Henry Street, were invited to join a powerful intergenerational mentoring program that builds connections among older adults, teens, and preschool children. The program was developed by members of the Sesame Workshop Alumni Network (SWAN) in 2020 as a way to mitigate isolation experienced during… Read More »
Anysa Segarra’s fall basketball league wrapped up in December 2023 with her team winning the 19-and-under championship title. She hopes that seeing results like this will encourage more girls to join the league in the future. Anysa, 17, and Lucille Vargas, 16, were the only two girls out of 88 players on Henry Street’s… Read More »
Larry Hamilton (right) poses with Armando Vera (left) before a game of pool at Henry Street Settlement’s Older Adult Center. Tucked in Henry Street Settlement’s Older Adult Center’s rec room is a vibrant community of Lower East Side residents enjoying music, playing games, and socializing. Of these games, one of the most popular is… Read More »
