In 2000, The Door became affiliated with University Settlement, the oldest settlement house in the United States.
University Settlement has served residents of Manhattan's Lower East Side since 1886. The neighborhood remains an immigrant community, and one of the poorest communities in New York City. The Settlement's mission is to provide residents with the highest quality services; pilot new initiatives in response to emerging needs; work with residents to advocate for improvements in the community and in the social welfare system; empower residents to assume greater responsibility for their own futures; and help to ensure stable families which are able to maximize their educational and economic opportunities.
The Settlement/Door affiliation has provided expanded opportunities to serve the youth of the Lower East Side, and new resources for programming at The Door. The Talent Search program and Early Head Start are two examples of University Settlement programs that now benefit Door members.
Together, The Door and University Settlement provide over 17,000 New Yorkers with some of the finest programs in New York City.
