Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center

Reviewed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation

$73,457 raised by 208 donors

73% complete

$100,000 Goal

Stanford Settlement was founded in 1936 by the Sisters of Social Service, at the Stanford Mansion, located at 8th & N Streets in Sacramento, the former residence of Governor Leland Stanford. Along with providing a residential program for teens who were unable to live in their own homes, the Sisters formed groups and programs for young people and adults from the surrounding neighborhood. These vital programs and offerings flourished and expanded, and in 1963, Stanford Settlement became its own separate agency, separating from Stanford Home for Children, to the community of Gardenland, which was badly in need of innovative social service programs. With support from United Way and a building from the Diocese of Sacramento, Stanford Settlement set up shop at their new location, and went to work immediately on leveraging local resources. Working with the Gardenland Community Council and the local business association, the agency helped to ensure that City parks were built, street lights installed, and sidewalks and gutters added to make the surrounding neighborhoods safer.

In 1975, with help from locally elected officials, the County of Sacramento bought the vacant Gardenland Elementary School and deeded it to Stanford Settlement, at which time the agency incorporated, separated from the Diocese and became an independent agency, its own 501(c)(3). Since moving to the present location at 450 West El Camino Avenue, facilities have been remodeled and new buildings added. A small Senior Center was built in 1978 and a new larger center was built in 1993, after acquiring additional property. In 2009 the much larger Teen Center was completed, again after acquiring additional property, and includes an indoor basketball court along with space for activities and a computer lab. Today, over 80 years later, many of the programs and activities resemble those of our origins. There are programs for children after school and in the summer; teen programs; senior programs; emergency assistance and participation in the neighborhood and larger community. The contributions of Stanford Settlement to the health and well being of the residents and the neighborhood are tremendous. Programs and services have expanded and developed through the years to meet the changing needs of the community.

Mission

Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center helps build healthy communities through individual, family, and neighborhood services.

Needs

1. Consider sharing time, talent, and treasure as a member of our volunteer Board of Trustees. If you've never served on a nonprofit board before, this is a great place to start.

2. Funding to sustain our Teen Center program, which helps teens stay IN school and OUT of trouble, in spite of the challenges they face.

3. Consider sharing your expertise and talent by volunteering to assist with improvements to the agency's property. We are fortunate to own the property where our programs take place, and our Children's Center, Teen Center, and Senior Center get heavy use, year-round. Our volunteer handymen and handywomen help with "fix-it" jobs and keep our spaces in shape for the people we serve.

4. Stipends for our Counselors-in-Training (CIT) program, which focuses on soft skills/job readiness skills. Youth ages 12-17 receive training in time management & punctuality; professional expectations; leadership and teamwork; verbal communication; and problem-solving. Youth have real work experience and references to use in pursuing employment opportunities and successfully enter the workforce.

5. Camperships for children to attend Summer Day Camp. Every year, 90+ children spend their summer days with us at McKinley Park and enjoy arts, crafts, sports, games, cooking, swimming, and more. At the same time, they learn how to make friends and keep them, solve problems peacefully, work together as a group, and create happy memories. Parents pay a sliding scale fee, and donations for camperships help defray the cost.

Equity Statement

As a settlement house, we work for social justice. We are dedicated to bringing about change on behalf of those who have been systemically oppressed. We stand in solidarity with our children, teens, seniors, and families.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center

Tax id (EIN)

94-1550842

Mission Category

Human Services

Operating Budget

$1,000,001-$5 million

Organization Need

Board Members, Funding: Program, Volunteers

Demographics Served

Seniors, Youth & Children, Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx

Counties Served

Sacramento

Equity Statement

Equity Statement

Address

450 West El Camino
Sacramento, CA 95833

Service areas

Sacramento, CA, US, 95815

Sacramento, CA, US, 95833

Sacramento, CA, US, 95834

Sacramento, CA, US, 95835

Sacramento, CA, US, 95838

Phone

916-927-1303

fax

916-922-1694

Social Media