University Settlement Society of New York

We’re delighted to announce that Eric B. Gyasi (Partner, BakerHostetler LLP) has been elected to University Settlement’s Board of Directors. At BakerHostetler, Mr. Gyasi guides clients through cybersecurity enterprise risks and implements cybersecurity governance. His experience includes selection by the Partnership for New York City as a member of the 2023 David Rockefeller Fellows. Mr. Gyasi is a trustee of the Hackley School where he serves as Secretary of the Board. He served on Manhattan’s Community Board 1, where he represented Lower Manhattan in city government and community affairs, from 2017 until 2021. A lifelong New Yorker, he lives with his wife and two young sons in Lower Manhattan. “Eric’s longstanding and significant commitment to our Lower Manhattan communities make him a perfect fit for our Board, ” said Melissa E. Aase, CEO of University Settlement. "We’re looking forward to counting on his counsel, including his deep cybersecurity expertise, which will add valuable perspective to our governance.” For more on Eric B. Gyasi, visit https://lnkd.in/eCap6sE7 #NYCisUS

Our team was at the #HandsOffHousing rally at New York City Hall today! 🏠✊ So many people showed up that not everyone could get onto the steps of City Hall! Many of us stood together in the park across the street. The full housing Continuum of Care was represented – from affordable housing developers to tenant leaders, shelter providers, and eviction prevention programs like Project Home – raising their voices and making it clear that housing is a human right, and federal housing funding is vital for NYC! Inside, our team heard from elected officials and fellow advocates pushing back against disinvestment. Big thanks to Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, CM Carlina Rivera, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and CM Chris Marte for your support. We’re grateful to everyone who showed up – let’s keep showing up until housing is protected! #NYCisUS

Right now, 300+ nonprofit human services workers from University Settlement and our peer organizations are in Albany for the Human Services State Advocacy Day to demand a 7.8% investment on ALL human services contracts. The cost of living keeps climbing, and State contracts must keep up. A 7.8% investment is what human services nonprofits need to help cover program costs and higher wages for workers who strengthen our communities every day. Big thanks to NYS Senator Rachel May and other elected officials for speaking up in support! Rising costs have pushed nonprofits to the brink. We can’t wait for 7.8! #FundHumanServices #JustPay #NYCisUS

We’re excited to announce that we’ve received a grant from NYC Department of Cultural Affairs FY2025 Cultural Development Fund (CDF)! Art and culture are the heart and soul of New York, contributing to a safer, stronger, and more vibrant city. We’re proud to be among over a thousand organizations receiving over $59 million through the CDF - the largest-ever city allocation for the program, thanks to the partnership between the NYC Mayor’s Office and the City Council. This is funding we've gotten for multiple years, but this year's award was even larger than usual! This investment in our work will support our Performance Project program, which connects local artists to supportive environments where they can grow their practices, build relationships, and perform their work, and The Creative Center at University Settlement, which brings creative arts programming to people living with cancer and other chronic illnesses as well as their caregivers and other community members. You can read more about this year’s CDF awards at nyc.gov/culture #NYCulture #NYCisUS

Baba, our emcee for City Stories, can’t wait for this year’s gala! 🎤 “This is always one of my favorite nights of the year – it’s wonderful to gather with so many of the amazing people who make University Settlement’s work possible and to celebrate the power of our communities. And we’re excited to shine a light on our amazing honorees, Trinity's Neighborhood Council and SUNY Chancellor Dr. John B. King, Jr.” – Baba Israel, emcee of City Stories and Artistic Director of The Performance Project. The countdown is on – just one month until the gala on April 3! RSVP at https://lnkd.in/esBbuSvT #PoweredByHumanity #NYCisUS

Education transforms lives and strengthens communities! 🎓 At our City Stories gala on April 3, we will present the Charles B. Stover Award to The State University of New York Chancellor Dr. John B. King, Jr . Over the last two years, Dr. King has meaningfully expanded the State University of New York, the largest comprehensive system of public higher education in the United States, including by identifying dedicated funding for mental health services and students with disabilities. Honored together with Trinity Church NYC's Neighborhood Council, he is committed to building a New York City powered by humanity. Join us at our gala to celebrate Dr. John B. King, Jr. – learn more at https://lnkd.in/esBbuSvT #PoweredByHumanity #NYCisUS

Community-led change makes NYC stronger! 🌇 At our gala on April 3, we’re presenting the Charles B. Stover Award to Trinity Church NYC's Neighborhood Council. This advisory group helps Trinity Church understand and address the needs of our shared Lower Manhattan neighborhood through deep listening, grassroots community development, and smart community-building. Alongside fellow honoree The State University of New York Chancellor Dr. John B. King, Jr., the Council shares University Settlement’s vision for a New York City that is powered by humanity. Join us at our gala to celebrate these changemakers – learn more at https://lnkd.in/esBbuSvT #PoweredByHumanity #NYCisUS

Nonprofit human services workers dedicate their lives to caring for our communities, but Governor Kathy Hochul didn’t show us love in her recent budget proposal. 💔 Instead of including a full 7.8% investment in human services, Governor Hochul proposed a 2.1% “inflation adjustment” – not nearly enough to fund programs or pay human services workers livable wages. The good news: you can help! Email your State legislators and tell them that we are sick and tired of this one-sided relationship. We know our worth, and we need them to fight for us in the next budget! Send your email now at bit.ly/JustPay-Valentine #JustPay #Valentines #DontBreakOurHearts #NYCisUS

We’re sending big thanks to the Trauma and Global Health Mental Health Lab at The New School for Social Research for joining us a few weeks ago to train 42 of our team leaders in Psychological First Aid (PFA). PFA is a strategy that has been used globally during challenging times to strengthen networks in places and situations where additional mental health and social-emotional support may be needed. It provides a framework for people doing caring work to identify signs of distress, engage in supportive and active listening, and understand how to link people to additional care when needed. US team members who participated in the training said it was “awesome” and an “excellent refresher,” and we’re already exploring ways to share these approaches with additional members of our front-line staff in our early childhood division. #NYCisUS

Melissa Aase, CEO of University Settlement and Jen Vallone, our Associate Executive Director of Adults, Arts, and Advocacy are in Albany this week fighting for flexible funds to meet the emerging needs of our communities alongside our comrades in the settlement house movement! A huge thank you to Settlement House Program Champions AM Linda Rosenthal and NYS Senator Brian Kavanagh, and all our friends and colleagues from NY State settlement houses United Neighborhood Houses. We are fighting for true affordability for our essential workers, including a COLA increase that is indexed to inflation and includes ALL human service care workers on State contracts. Across our team's 60+ meetings, many legislative members of the Assembly and Senate have pledged their support for our agenda, and we’re delighted to see such strong momentum. We’re grateful to everyone we've had the opportunity to meet with, including many of leaders who represent our neighborhoods! NYS Senator Andrew Gounardes, NYS Senator Jabari Brisport, NYS Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, NYS Senator Roxane Persaud, AM Jo Anne Simon, AM Grace Lee, and AM Harvey Epstein. #SettlementHouseStrong #JustPay #NYCisUS