Definition
A "settlement house" was a community center, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, that provided social services to immigrants and the poor. It aimed to help people adjust to urban life and offered education, healthcare, and other resources. Think of it as a social support hub for those in need. Unlike traditional charities, settlement houses often involved middle-class residents living among the poor. They were key to social reform. They fostered community and provided tools for empowerment.