Hudson Guild

Hudson Guild is a multi-service, multi-generational, community-based organization rooted in and primarily focused on the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, New York, United States. It was founded in 1895. Through a variety of programs and services, including after-school care, professional counselling and community arts, the Guild seeks to empower all individuals and families, particularly those in economic need, to achieve their highest potential. [www.hudsonguild.org]

History

In 1895, Dr. John Lovejoy Elliott, a young man greatly influenced by the growing settlement house and Ethical Culture movements, planted the seed for what became Hudson Guild, organizing the “Hurly Burlies,” a social and recreation club for young men in the Chelsea neighborhood. In the next few years, Dr. Elliott established numerous clubs and programs for other groups, including young boys, young girls, working women, and families. Dr Elliotts disparate programs merged to form Hudson Guild in 1897. Hudson Guild provided a springboard for organizing residents to improve neighborhood living conditions.

The Guild’s history is marked by innovation and cutting-edge thought. Among Hudson Guild's early advocacy successes were lobbying for a Model Tenement House Law (1901); the creation of Chelsea Park, the first recreational space in the area (1907); and the approval of new, low-cost, city-funded housing in Chelsea (1938). At the same time, the Guild was offering a widening range of direct programming and services to Chelsea residents, opening the first free Kindergarten in New York City (1897); starting the first Summer Play School in the City (1917); opening dental (1919), prenatal, and well-baby clinics (1921); founding the Elliott Neighbors Club for Senior Citizens (1947); opening one of the city’s first community mental health clinics (1948); and the first offerings of English-as-a-Second-Language classes (1950).

The Guild also advocated for anti-poverty programs, including Neighborhood Youth Corp, VISTA and Head Start (1966); worked with other settlement houses and the City of New York to merge Head Start and daycare in New York City (1993); founded the Chelsea Community-Supported Agriculture co-op (2000); and successfully advocated for affordable housing inclusion in West Chelsea redevelopment plans (2005).

In 2007, it was among over 530 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. [cite web| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/06/nyregion/06donate.html?ex=1278302400&en=93a1beabd4ede5b8&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss| title=New York Times: City Groups Get Bloomberg Gift of $20 Million Retrieved on August 29, 2007]

Programs

Each year, Hudson Guild provides a service for over 11,000 people. Because of its roots in the settlement house tradition, Hudson Guild takes an integrated, holistic approach to service provision and community building. Hudson Guild has five main program areas: Children and Youth Services, Adult Services, Arts Program, Community Building, and Mental Health. None of these program areas exist separately; they work together to provide participants with creative programming engaging bodies and minds, connecting participants to each other and the Chelsea community.

Hudson Guild’s Children and Youth Services targets at-risk youth living in Chelsea and surrounding neighborhoods. Through participation in the Guild’s programming, children and teens receive academic assistance, learn to make good decisions, and gain exposure to the arts. Hudson Guild’s Adult Services helps older adults live in independence and dignity as contributing members of the community with program activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional fitness. The Guild’s Arts Program operates a theatre and two galleries, helping make Chelsea a vibrant and cohesive community, where diversity and self-expression flourish among all age groups. Through its Community Building Program, Hudson Guild serves a primary role in making the Chelsea neighborhood a place where people come together to help others and themselves through education, skills-building, and joint action. The Guild's Mental Health program provides a range of services to meet the mental health needs of residents of Chelsea and surrounding neighborhoods, including group and individual therapy through a licensed mental health clinic; school-based mental health services to a local elementary school; and programs for at-risk youth.

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