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Settlement houses adapt: STEAM, digital arts and late-night programming to keep Bronx youth engaged
Summary
UNH and Bronx House leaders described how settlement-house programming has evolved from traditional recreation to STEAM, performing and digital-arts offerings, plus extended hours and SAT prep to support teens and reduce risky behavior.
Speakers on Bronx Talk described how settlement houses have broadened activities to keep pace with changing educational and social needs. Sinclair Hollingsworth highlighted performing arts and plans to expand into digital arts and podcasting; Susan Stamler noted programs now commonly include English classes, workforce development and classes for older adults as part of a whole-family approach.
"So now we implement STEM. We implement STEAM, which is science, technology, engineering, arts, and the math," Hollingsworth said, and added that the performing-arts wing is exploring digital-arts curricula so young people "will be have a opportunity to create their own music, podcasting." Both speakers emphasized the importance of longer hours and targeted supports for teens: Hollingsworth said he wants teens to be able to stay in the building until 9 or 10 p.m. and emphasized SAT prep and youth sports as retention strategies.
Speakers tied these programmatic shifts to community feedback and surveys, saying expansion decisions are based on demand and local needs rather than a single citywide template.
