June 1, 1889
Two years ago I went on my second tour of Europe, along
with my close friend Ellen G. Starr.
While there we visited the most amazing place, called Tonybee Hall. It was a settlement house, dedicated to
helping the impoverished people of London’s East End. It provided many services to the poor, including
continued education and legal aid. It
was such an inspiring sight, and it made me want to do something. And two years later, I’ve finally done
it.
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| Tonybee Hall, the inspiration behind the Hull House. |
Five
months ago Ellen and I opened Hull House, a settlement house in an industrial
neighborhood of Chicago where many immigrants live in overcrowded tenements
with barely enough money to feed their children. We started with a daycare for the children of
working mothers, that provided a safe place and one meal for kids, so they wouldn't be left tied to table legs in empty apartments all day long, and so
older children wouldn't wander the streets alone.
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| Our nursery with some of our young residents. |
We’ve
quickly grown into a lot more. Hull
House now boasts a kindergarten, and a boys’ club, as well as a coffee shop for
adults to meet and socialize at. We have
gained the support of many wealthy and middle-class women who donate not only
money but also time and effort. We have
many bright young women who come in and help us teach classes and improve the
lives of those who are served by the Hull House. Just recently I was informed of the numbers
of the house; we serve over 2,000 people a week. As the House keeps expanding so do I, I have
plans to take on new social challenges in attempts to improve the plights of
the poor. I am very excited by the way
the Hull House has grown, and am excited to grow with it, and take on new
things to improve the world.
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| The House. |
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