By Melissa Aase, CEO of University Settlement

With the results of yesterday’s election established, I’d like to share a message of solidarity with all members of our community – including staff, neighbors, program participants, and supporters:

THANK YOU for making your voice heard in our democratic process – whether you registered voters, spread the word, rallied others to vote, or voted yourself.

University Settlement is committed to including and uplifting everyone while building access to opportunity for ALL the people in our neighborhoods — ALWAYS.

Where there is inequity, poverty, exclusion, bigotry or hate, we will stand up for equity, opportunity, basic needs, healthcare, inclusion, and welcome. We will always support creativity and connection between neighbors.

Connection and community are the best way forward for all people, even for those who may not be experiencing immediate needs, because connection is a basic need.  At some point in our lives, each of us will truly need one another – and safety, basic services, human rights, and joy.

University Settlement remains committed to building civic engagement, neighborhood strength and power, and fundamental democratic institutions, as we have been for the last (nearly) 140 years.

This week some of our leaders are participating at the SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico, where we’re lifting the aspirations of our communities up to our elected representatives, in partnership with many of our allied community-based organizations; hundreds of others on our team are here in our NYC communities, doing what we always do: teaching, creating, leading, supporting, mentoring, and connecting with our neighbors.

Thank you for all you contribute to our community.