A key term in Advanced Placement United States History, this concept refers to community centers established in impoverished urban areas during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These institutions were staffed primarily by middle-class, college-educated women and men who sought to address the social and economic challenges faced by immigrant and working-class communities. The aim was to provide resources such as education, childcare, job training, and social services to improve the lives of residents. A prominent example is Hull House, founded in Chicago by Jane Addams.
The establishment of such centers was significant because it represented a shift towards a more active role for private citizens in addressing social problems. They provided crucial support networks for new immigrants adapting to American society and served as incubators for social reform movements. By directly engaging with the poor and marginalized, these initiatives fostered a greater understanding of the systemic issues contributing to poverty and inequality, ultimately influencing progressive era reforms aimed at improving working conditions, sanitation, and education.
