Tag: southwest area neighborhood association

Southwest Area Neighborhood Association Inc. at Montgomery Neighborhood Center has joined United Neighborhood Houses, a policy and social change organization. UNH is a network of settlement houses that now has 45 members.

“We believe deeply in the power of the settlement house movement to reinforce neighborhoods with local residents and resources at the center,” said UNH Executive Director Susan Stamler in a statement. “Expanding our footprint beyond New York City limits is an important step in effecting meaningful change in legislative districts throughout New York. We’re pleased to welcome SWAN Inc. at Montgomery Neighborhood Center as a new member of the movement.”

SWAN serves some 2,000 people annually and runs a variety of vital programs for participants of all ages including an extended day program for youth ages 6 to 14, a senior nutrition program with a recently added garden, emergency services for families, community safety initiatives and a neighborhood preservation program.

The Montgomery center was founded in 1956 as one of Rochester’s original settlement houses and caters to Rochester’s Southwest area neighborhoods, hence the acronym SWAN.

“Affiliation with partners in purpose is an invaluable resource of organizations like ours whose goal is to better the lives of the community we serve,” said SWAN Executive Director Tiffany Owens. “We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and working in concert with UNH in advocating for conditions that inspire, include and illuminate hope.”

UNH promotes strong organizations and practices that keep neighborhoods thriving by providing members and their staff access to professional development opportunities, peer learning, and guidance and research to support their work, officials noted.

“On behalf of the Southwest Area Neighborhood Association Inc. board of directors, it is an esteemed honor to have the affiliate membership with United Neighborhood Houses,” said SWAN board President Woody Hammond. “Our organization’s vision and mission will be enhanced with the advocacy and support of such a pristine organization of high regard for New York state communities at large.”

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