Around the Settlement: January 2026
Jan 2, 2026
Welcome to Around the Settlement, our monthly blog post sharing a deeper look into all of the vital programs and services provided by Grand St. Settlement throughout the Lower East Side, Brooklyn, and The Bronx. For this issue, we're recapping highlights from Grand Street 2025.
To make sure you don't miss future news, sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about program updates, advocacy actions, and invitations to the best nonprofit fundraising events in New York City!
Cornerstones in Brooklyn
We unveiled the Wyckoff and Gowanus Cornerstone Community Centers this year, bringing our numbers up to 12 cornerstone community centers in the city. Our Wyckoff and Gowanus Cornerstone Community Centers each provided engaging year-round programs (such as the Valentine's Day celebration pictured above) for more than 600 adults and young people, and we look forward to continuing to provide more services for our neighbors in 2026.
¡Viva la Rosa!
This year, we paid homage to our storied history with the announcement of our renamed Lower East Side headquarters. Previously known as 80 Pitt Community Center, The Rose Gruening Community Center (or, The Rose Center for short) honors the woman who laid the foundation for Grand Street Settlement’s work today — our founder, Rose Gruening.
Volunteers and Partnerships
This year, we were fortunate enough to cultivate 14 volunteer partnerships with corporations and community-based organizations. Our Monday food pantries were aided greatly by weekly NY Cares volunteers and those from companies such as Neuberger Berman, Argo, and more. Amalgamated Bank held special workshops for our Older Adult participants on financial and tech safety, and Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s came together to assemble over 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies and treats for students starting school this fall.
Cleats for a Cause
Grand Street’s Best Buy Teen Tech Center member Bella Sanchez was selected to custom-design a bespoke pair of cleats for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams! As part of this year's #MyCauseMyCleats campaign in partnership with the Best Buy Foundation and Caleb Cares 13, three Best Buy Teen Tech Center members across the country were given the opportunity to design cleats that reflected stories of empowerment and anti-bullying for Williams to wear during the November games. Bella’s design was one of two chosen by Caleb Williams to wear on the November 23rd game before going on to secure a victory for the Chicago Bears. Congratulations Bella!
Marvelous Murals
Grand Street’s walls have been fortunate enough to be an artistic inspiration for some wonderful artists in the city! Carla Torres, muralist and illustrator of My First Day the Grand Street Way, created bright, colorful, thematic murals at our new Head Start sites that reflected the neighborhoods they were in. Accomplished street artist Hektad created a beautiful addition to our Seward Park Community Center that truly captures the heart of Grand Street Settlement.
A Place At Our Table
This year’s Taste of the Lower East Side saw over 850 attendees enthusiastically enjoying a night of good drinks, great food, and even better conversation about supporting Grand Street’s vital programs. In addition to raising over $380k, this year’s Taste also debuted the “Serving Up Opportunity with a Place at our Table.” The display, which is now a new exhibit at The Rose Center, invites you to explore stories from our community members to gain a deeper understanding of how Grand Street has stood with our neighbors over the years. Wander through the digital exhibit here!
Staff Development and Appreciation Day
The Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo hosted this year's Staff Development and Appreciation Day! Our team gathered in The Bronx to learn about our organization's priorities and celebrate all we've accomplished. Special guests included Board President Bryan Koplin, Board Member Mario Tufano, and Bronx Borough President Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson for a rousing "Welcome to The Bronx" speech.
Welcome to Around the Settlement, our monthly blog post sharing a deeper look into all of the vital programs and services provided by Grand St. Settlement throughout the Lower East Side, Brooklyn, and The Bronx. For this issue, we're recapping highlights from Grand Street 2025.
To make sure you don't miss future news, sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about program updates, advocacy actions, and invitations to the best nonprofit fundraising events in New York City!
Cornerstones in Brooklyn
We unveiled the Wyckoff and Gowanus Cornerstone Community Centers this year, bringing our numbers up to 12 cornerstone community centers in the city. Our Wyckoff and Gowanus Cornerstone Community Centers each provided engaging year-round programs (such as the Valentine's Day celebration pictured above) for more than 600 adults and young people, and we look forward to continuing to provide more services for our neighbors in 2026.
¡Viva la Rosa!
This year, we paid homage to our storied history with the announcement of our renamed Lower East Side headquarters. Previously known as 80 Pitt Community Center, The Rose Gruening Community Center (or, The Rose Center for short) honors the woman who laid the foundation for Grand Street Settlement’s work today — our founder, Rose Gruening.
Volunteers and Partnerships
This year, we were fortunate enough to cultivate 14 volunteer partnerships with corporations and community-based organizations. Our Monday food pantries were aided greatly by weekly NY Cares volunteers and those from companies such as Neuberger Berman, Argo, and more. Amalgamated Bank held special workshops for our Older Adult participants on financial and tech safety, and Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s came together to assemble over 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies and treats for students starting school this fall.
Cleats for a Cause
Grand Street’s Best Buy Teen Tech Center member Bella Sanchez was selected to custom-design a bespoke pair of cleats for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams! As part of this year's #MyCauseMyCleats campaign in partnership with the Best Buy Foundation and Caleb Cares 13, three Best Buy Teen Tech Center members across the country were given the opportunity to design cleats that reflected stories of empowerment and anti-bullying for Williams to wear during the November games. Bella’s design was one of two chosen by Caleb Williams to wear on the November 23rd game before going on to secure a victory for the Chicago Bears. Congratulations Bella!
Marvelous Murals
Grand Street’s walls have been fortunate enough to be an artistic inspiration for some wonderful artists in the city! Carla Torres, muralist and illustrator of My First Day the Grand Street Way, created bright, colorful, thematic murals at our new Head Start sites that reflected the neighborhoods they were in. Accomplished street artist Hektad created a beautiful addition to our Seward Park Community Center that truly captures the heart of Grand Street Settlement.
A Place At Our Table
This year’s Taste of the Lower East Side saw over 850 attendees enthusiastically enjoying a night of good drinks, great food, and even better conversation about supporting Grand Street’s vital programs. In addition to raising over $380k, this year’s Taste also debuted the “Serving Up Opportunity with a Place at our Table.” The display, which is now a new exhibit at The Rose Center, invites you to explore stories from our community members to gain a deeper understanding of how Grand Street has stood with our neighbors over the years. Wander through the digital exhibit here!
Staff Development and Appreciation Day
The Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo hosted this year's Staff Development and Appreciation Day! Our team gathered in The Bronx to learn about our organization's priorities and celebrate all we've accomplished. Special guests included Board President Bryan Koplin, Board Member Mario Tufano, and Bronx Borough President Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson for a rousing "Welcome to The Bronx" speech.
Welcome to Around the Settlement, our monthly blog post sharing a deeper look into all of the vital programs and services provided by Grand St. Settlement throughout the Lower East Side, Brooklyn, and The Bronx. For this issue, we're recapping highlights from Grand Street 2025.
To make sure you don't miss future news, sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about program updates, advocacy actions, and invitations to the best nonprofit fundraising events in New York City!
Cornerstones in Brooklyn
We unveiled the Wyckoff and Gowanus Cornerstone Community Centers this year, bringing our numbers up to 12 cornerstone community centers in the city. Our Wyckoff and Gowanus Cornerstone Community Centers each provided engaging year-round programs (such as the Valentine's Day celebration pictured above) for more than 600 adults and young people, and we look forward to continuing to provide more services for our neighbors in 2026.
¡Viva la Rosa!
This year, we paid homage to our storied history with the announcement of our renamed Lower East Side headquarters. Previously known as 80 Pitt Community Center, The Rose Gruening Community Center (or, The Rose Center for short) honors the woman who laid the foundation for Grand Street Settlement’s work today — our founder, Rose Gruening.
Volunteers and Partnerships
This year, we were fortunate enough to cultivate 14 volunteer partnerships with corporations and community-based organizations. Our Monday food pantries were aided greatly by weekly NY Cares volunteers and those from companies such as Neuberger Berman, Argo, and more. Amalgamated Bank held special workshops for our Older Adult participants on financial and tech safety, and Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s came together to assemble over 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies and treats for students starting school this fall.
Cleats for a Cause
Grand Street’s Best Buy Teen Tech Center member Bella Sanchez was selected to custom-design a bespoke pair of cleats for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams! As part of this year's #MyCauseMyCleats campaign in partnership with the Best Buy Foundation and Caleb Cares 13, three Best Buy Teen Tech Center members across the country were given the opportunity to design cleats that reflected stories of empowerment and anti-bullying for Williams to wear during the November games. Bella’s design was one of two chosen by Caleb Williams to wear on the November 23rd game before going on to secure a victory for the Chicago Bears. Congratulations Bella!
Marvelous Murals
Grand Street’s walls have been fortunate enough to be an artistic inspiration for some wonderful artists in the city! Carla Torres, muralist and illustrator of My First Day the Grand Street Way, created bright, colorful, thematic murals at our new Head Start sites that reflected the neighborhoods they were in. Accomplished street artist Hektad created a beautiful addition to our Seward Park Community Center that truly captures the heart of Grand Street Settlement.
A Place At Our Table
This year’s Taste of the Lower East Side saw over 850 attendees enthusiastically enjoying a night of good drinks, great food, and even better conversation about supporting Grand Street’s vital programs. In addition to raising over $380k, this year’s Taste also debuted the “Serving Up Opportunity with a Place at our Table.” The display, which is now a new exhibit at The Rose Center, invites you to explore stories from our community members to gain a deeper understanding of how Grand Street has stood with our neighbors over the years. Wander through the digital exhibit here!
Staff Development and Appreciation Day
The Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo hosted this year's Staff Development and Appreciation Day! Our team gathered in The Bronx to learn about our organization's priorities and celebrate all we've accomplished. Special guests included Board President Bryan Koplin, Board Member Mario Tufano, and Bronx Borough President Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson for a rousing "Welcome to The Bronx" speech.
Join Our Newsletter
Stay up to date with events, programs, or advocacy opportunities to support the Grand Street mission.
Join Our Newsletter
Stay up to date with events, programs, or advocacy opportunities to support the Grand Street mission.
Join Our Newsletter
Stay up to date with events, programs, or advocacy opportunities to support the Grand Street mission.
Join Our Newsletter
Stay up to date with events, programs, or advocacy opportunities to support the Grand Street mission.
2024 Grand Street Settlement. All right reserved.
80 Pitt Street, New York, NY 10002
212-674-1740
Grand St. Settlement is a registered 501(c)(3)
2024 Grand Street Settlement. All right reserved.
80 Pitt Street, New York, NY 10002
212-674-1740
Grand St. Settlement is a registered 501(c)(3)
2024 Grand Street Settlement. All right reserved.
80 Pitt Street, New York, NY 10002
212-674-1740
Grand St. Settlement is a registered 501(c)(3)
2024 Grand Street Settlement. All right reserved.
80 Pitt Street, New York, NY 10002
212-674-1740
Grand St. Settlement is a registered 501(c)(3)