Henry Street Settlement was founded in 1893 by social work and public health pioneer Lillian Wald and is based on Manhattan's Lower East Side in New York. Henry Street Settlement delivers a wide range of social service, arts, and healthcare programs to more than 60,000 New Yorkers each year. Distinguished by a profound connection to its neighbors, a willingness to address new problems with swift and innovative solutions, and a strong record of accomplishment, Henry Street challenges the effects of urban poverty by helping families achieve better lives for themselves and their children. Henry Street has a staff of 450 full-time and 400 seasonal employees, an active Board of Directors, partnerships with several organizations, and a burgeoning alumni network. (Henry Street, 2019)
I shared information on Lillian Wald, public health nurse and founder of the Henry Street Settlement in two previous commentaries. In The Power of One (Harris, 2005), I shared the impact one nurse can have who is committed, politically astute, and determined to make a difference in the life of residents in the community. In Remembering Lillian Wald: Remembering Our Roots (Harris, 2009), I shared my thoughts following my visit to the Henry Street Settlement and the Tenement Museum. The Tenement Museum is a "must see" for home care and hospice providers. It tells the story of immigrants living in New York from the 19th to 21st centuries through recreations of their lives and homes. Information about the tenement museum can be found at http://www.tenementmuseum.org.
On September 13, 2018, Henry Street Settlement celebrated 125 years since its founding with an Anniversary Gala Dinner on Henry Street. As part of the celebration, Henry Street created "#FlatLillian to teach people of all ages about the mission and values of our trailblazing founder, Lilian Wald- ideas that continue to guide Henry Street's work." The fall 2018 newsletter noted: "if you would like your own mini-mascot, please contact Nicole Fogarty at mailto:[email protected]." (Henry Street, 2018.) I emailed Ms. Fogarty to request my #FlatLillian and received it a short time later.
The back of #FlatLillian shares information on Lillian Wald and her accomplishments and notes that "her forward-thinking vision continues to inspire and guide our work every day." There is also a request to "Keep Lillian's ideas alive! Post your photo with hashtag #FlatLillian, and send your photos to mailto:[email protected]." I have taken #FlatLillian with me to Thanksgiving dinner with my family and to a local restaurant where I had lunch during the holidays in December. #FlatLillian would love to attend one of your home care or hospice staff meetings to see how her work is carried out today. I know she would be pleased.
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