Union Settlement returned this holiday season to host our annual Book and Toy Drive with a twist. We turned our community room into a toy store, complete with a photo booth a wrapping station, and our very own Santa Claus! More than 700 children were invited to come pick out gifts for the holidays. It was through the hard work of our team, and the support of the community, volunteers, and sponsors that this tradition continues to live on. We were overjoyed to be able to celebrate another year with East Harlem and to give back to the community’s youngest members!  

Dr. Darlene Williams, Union Settlement President & Chief Executive Officer was recognized as a Nonprofit Power Player by amNY Metro and Politics NY. Nonprofit organizations are the heartbeat of positive social change in New York. Across the city and state, nonprofit leaders work tirelessly to create a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate home for all New Yorkers. The PoliticsNY and amNY Metro Nonprofit Power Players list looks to highlight these dedicated leaders championing causes from accessible education to affordable housing and everywhere in between. These leaders and their organizations work at the intersection of public policy, finance, administration, and progress to build a more equitable and engaged New York. Today, we shine a spotlight on the nonprofit movers and shakers and their organizations that demand the city evolve with the people.

View the complete list here: Nonprofit Power Players (politicsny.com)

Dr. Darlene Williams, Union Settlement President & Chief Executive Officer was recognized as Gen Xers making their mark on New York.

But while this generation – made up of individuals born between 1965 and 1980 – may not be as outspoken as baby boomers or as social media savvy as younger generations, don’t mistake this silence for compliance. Gen Xers are just doing it their way. Gen Xers lived through the end of the Vietnam War and the Cold War, the 9/11 attacks, three more wars, the Great Recession, an increasingly divided country, and a global pandemic – and they’ve adjusted quite well to leading in an ever-changing world. Don’t call them cynics or coffee shop slackers, because Gen X is getting stuff done.

View the full list here: Above & Beyond: Gen X – City & State New York (cityandstateny.com)

Each year Union Settlement works with the community to help provide families in need with turkeys and canned goods for Thanksgiving dinner. This year, thanks to our staff, a team of volunteers, and generous contributions from partners like Ponce Bank, Ace Endico, Rose Community Management, Kandel and Son, Laymen Global, Sendero Verde, The Bernard Bernstein Family, NYPD Foundation, Foodtown, Ideal Food Basket, and Fine Fare Markets – we were able to hand out over 300 turkeys alongside canned goods in honor of the giving season!  

To view more pictures from the day, check out our Instagram: @unionsettlement

The East Harlem to Brooklyn connection! Union Settlement was incredibly grateful to be recognized as Non-Profit of the Game by The Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, and WFAN Sports Radio. It was exciting to attend not only as guests of honor but also as East Harlem representatives! Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our cause by purchasing a ticket!  

Click here to check out a few more photos from the evening.

Union Settlement’s Economic Development team celebrated 50 Years of Hip Hop for the last East Harlem Nights event of the year. Featuring local businesses and DJ Ted Smooth, this event brought together hundreds of people in East Harlem for dancing, food, and fun!

You can see the PIX!11 feature here: Celebrating 50 years of Hip-Hop in East Harlem (pix11.com)

In partnership with the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), Union Settlement’s Older Adult Services Garden Club celebrated the end of a fruitful growing season with a Ginger Festival at the El Sitio Feliz Community Garden. The community came together for a cooking competition and live recipe demonstrations where the focus for each meal was all things ginger!  

View more photos and videos from the event on our Instagram;  @unionsettlement

Union Settlement was proud to partake in the American Cancer Society’s Walk for a Cure in Central Park. Participants gathered around to make strides against breast cancer – completing a total of 4 miles to show their support and to help raise awareness for cancer research and treatment.