Northwestern University Settlement
Rating: 5 stars 8 8 reviews 680
Address:
1400 West Augusta Blvd Chicago IL 60642 USA
Mission:
Northwestern settlement nurtures, educates, and inspires children and families in need to take personal responsibility and attain self-sufficiency.
Programs:
Rowe elementary school - a charter school that works with the entire family to develop life skills and economic opportunities for children, preparing students for success in high school and college. Rowe serves 679, mostly low-income, k-7 students from throughout chicago. Rowe elementary school students mastered ambitious academic, social, and emotional standards. Rowe elementary continues to instill the college mindset in its students and their families by delivering a rigorous academic curriculum infused with social and emotional programming and development. Rowe elementary is currently rated level 1+ by chicago public schools, the highest rating available.
early childhood education - to prepare preschool age children for kindergarten, assist the parents in becoming self-sufficient, and expand the family's educational horizon.
house in the wood camp - to allow city children exposure to wildlife and the outdoors, to provide the children with skills necessary to succeed at school, college, and beyond, as well as to foster confidence within the child. House in the woods also offers outdoor environmental education programming to public school students.
art programs - adventure stage chicago and cct gallery - to present the community performances that expand the imagination of children and provide examples of overcoming adversity, taking responsibility for one's actions, and contributing to the community in the hope that the audience and participants grow to see themselves as agents of change. 3 productions and 45 performances with 7,757 people attending. Neighborhood bridges - professional teaching artists using storytelling and creative drama to develop literacy skills and cognitive competence. Conducted programs at 5 schools, serving 423 students. Americorps project yes - to introduce recent college graduates to the challenges families face in the midst of poverty and to allow them to serve children in educational afterschool activities. To develop leadership skills in young adults and to foster community and personal service habits. Group services - encompasses several programs serving children, families, and seniors. Includes after school and summer programs, offering arts, crafts, mentoring, academic and recreational activities to 5 to 15 year olds. Also includes golden agers club for ages 55 and older, offering a safe place, social activities, and services for immediate needs. Emergency services - emergency family services have been a core component of northwestern settlement programming since its founding. Our earliest leaders, in the spirit of pioneers such as jane addams and the settlement movement philosophy of working directly with underserved communities, recognized that being a good neighbor meant providing for the most urgent needs. Program development today, occurs with the same philosophy our founders had: responding to the immediate needs of the community while encouraging long-term change. This spirit has remained constant since before the great depression to throughout the "great recession". Services include: food pantry, clothing and household item distribution, special holiday assistance, referrals, and community outreach.
Photos
Filter Reviews by Role
Promote This Nonprofit
GreatNonprofits badges allow you to raise awareness of your favorite nonprofits on your own web sites!
GreatNonprofits
Reviews for Northwestern University Settlement
My experience with Northwestern University Settlement is at House in the wood camp. I went as a camper and through the years I became a cabin counselor. This by far was is the most impacting organization I have been involved in. Thank you Mrs. Val, Adam, Millie and everyone else for all the camp fires. Love you
More Feedback
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
3 people found this review helpful
The experience my family has had through the years with Adventure Stage has been overwhelmingly positive. With each new season my children are exposed to thoughtful and intelligent plays which engage them in new ways. They want to read the book before hand and we talk about the show for weeks after. We are passport members and plan to be members of the Adventure Stage community for years to come. Support these folks and all they do!
More Feedback
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
kind and energetic! Open to questions and had appropriate answers for both the children and the adults.
Ways to make it better...
Parking. We've had trouble finding parking...but I do not think this is a reflection on the organization just the general neighborhood.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
One thing I'd also say is that...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-12-01
5 people found this review helpful
I have taken my family to see several shows at Vittum Theater (now Adventure Stage Chicago) and have thoroughly enjoyed every one. The staff is friendly, the space is beautiful, and the theater is top-notch. We have also attended workshops and seminars, and an ASC Teaching Artist has visited my daughter's school. The Settlement does so much good for the community.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the happy faces of the families that leave the theater...the inquisitiveness of the children in the audience after a show when the cast hosts an audience talkback...the professionalism of the staff...the talent aof the cast and crew and teachers.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-11-01
11 people found this review helpful
I have been going to see shows at Adventure Stage Chicago for the past 2.5 years. I usually take the child that I mentor to see these shows, and we have loved everything we've seen. The conversations with the audience before and after the performance help get us thinking about the themes of the show before we see it, and it's helpful to have some wrap-up at the end too. Their thought-provoking questions help fuel our conversations in the car on the way home. The plays have always been engaging, entertaining, and very well done produced. They also take on important and relevant themes. I would highly recommend ASC's plays for kids and parents alike!
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the very high quality of the children's theater that they produce (which is also entertaining for adults!).
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
always very friendly and enthusiastic about their work. The staff does a great job of interacting with kids!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-10-01
10 people found this review helpful
The people at Adventure Stage are amoung the best in the world. I have taken several classes to see a variety of shows and the students still rave about it years later. What makes Adventure Stage so special is the care they take to make sure the entire experience is mind blowing from the wonderful stage production to the Q & A session after the show. As an added bonus they responded to "Thank You" cards sent by my students, which in turn makes my students feel valued. Thank you for all that you do and keep up the great work!!
More Feedback
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how the stage productions moved my students and generated candid, lively, and energentic discussions back in the classroom.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-1-01
8 people found this review helpful
Adventure Stage is awesome! Even though they are geared toward "Middle school" kids (a group that everyone else ignores), I have seen much younger kids at their shows wide-eyed and enthralled. As for their target group, they do a great job of keeping the material challenging enough and still making it fun and "cool". They are an organization very concerned with meeting and exceeding educational expectations and also drawing young people into live theater. I have sent many students over there to see shows and they always come back excited and wondering when the next one is!
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
tandem with their innovative "Neighborhood Bridges" program in CPS.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Their clear goals and passion for arts education and live theater.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Awesome!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Reach out to families all over the city, build even cooler sets and expand outreach programs city-wide!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-9-01
10 people found this review helpful
This is bar far, the BEST theatre for young people, in the city of Chicago. I have been associated with this theatre for the past 8 years and have loved every single performance they have put on during that time. This is the only theatre that I bring all of my students to every single year. We haven't missed show in all 8 years! I have also attended all of the fantastic teacher workshops hosted here. They provide me with critical information about the plays, that I can take back to my students. Finally, last year I also had the pleasure of being involved with the Storytelling Workshop Series. This allowed me to gather with a group of other teachers, once a month, to learn from professional storytellers and to practice our craft. I have not found another theatre that does so much for teachers and our students.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
enriching my students' lives through having access to high-quality theatre designed for young audiences. I also appreciate the low cost of the theatre tickets which allows me to continue coming back year after year.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how I have seen first hand, how excited my students have become about seeing and experiencing theatre. Even students who have disengaged from education can come alive when working with theatre.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
some of the most dedicated people I have ever known. They are able to work with a wide range of students, including my special education students, and make everyone feel welcome and respected.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
reach every student and teacher in the city of Chicago and give all our kids an appreciation for the Arts.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-11-01
6 people found this review helpful
Adventure Stage Chicago at the Northwestern University Settlement has quickly built its reputation as the premiere Theatre for Young Audiences in the Chicagoland area. For a city that is so saturated in theatre, Adventure Stage is the only one that presents material that is challenging and effective to it's young audiences. The shows never talk down to children or candy coat honesty. They embrace big issues with creativity, open minds, and enthusiasm. The education department also offers incredible amounts of programming for underprivileged youth and families. Whether it's a family workshop, a school residency, or a performance; the work is always full of heart and passion. Young people are consistently and profoundly effected by the work being done by this admirable organization. I can not say enough wonderful things about Adventure Stage Chicago and look forward to the continued integrity shown by this phenomenal group of artists.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the audience, on stage, and in the classroom.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
add touring performances (which I know are already in the works) and offer even more programming which would take extra hands.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
their drive to present performances that tackle important issues.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
incredibly friendly, sincere, hard working, and motivated. The drive for presenting the highest quality programming is amazing for such a small core team of artists.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
honestly change the world. This company already bends over backwards to engage students from all different economic backgrounds. 10 million dollars could allow for touring productions to reach more young people, among many other programming options!
Ways to make it better...
if we could have allowed for more shows to run for a longer amount of time. I love knowing that students are getting the opportunity to see the shows and not missing out because there are no more seats in the theatre.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding. This company is already stretching pennies in ways I've never seen and doing it with grace!
One thing I'd also say is that...
I feel lucky to have gotten to be witness to the work being created at Adventure Stage. It has reaffirmed my belief in the importance of arts in a young person's growth. Many students and families have been greatly engaged by the productions.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-2-01
-
Woman Made
MargoJ wrote:
I've been a fan of WMG for 20 years. My home is filled with art I bought at their shows and auctions. I feel incredibly blessed... more »
- Location:
- Chicago, IL
-
American Blues Theater
Tepes wrote:
Truly a wonderful company. Their commitment goes above and beyond, for the art, the talent and the community. more »
- Location:
- Chicago, IL
-
Musical Arts Institute
jar3d wrote:
The Musical Arts Institute really helped me become a much more proficient trombone player and I really needed it especially since... more »
- Location:
- Chicago, IL
-
Silk Road Rising
hamster wrote:
We are retired educators who worked extensively with multicultural issues. Silk Road Rising is a major force in improving racial... more »
- Location:
- Chicago, IL
-
House Theatre Of Chicago
ChiIL Mama wrote:
The House Theatre rocks! They make diverse, edgy choices and aren't afraid to take chances with unconventional productions.... more »
- Location:
- Chicago, IL
