In 1934 the Northwest Settlement House (NWSH) was established as an offshoot of the Tuesday Evening Club of Social Workers, a group of black women organized to extend a helping hand to friendless girls, deserted women and neglected children. A constant presence in the neighborhood for many years, NWSH was the site for the first Head Start program in the District of Columbia and sponsored the Shaw Redevelopment Project.

Today, as it was in 1934, the mission of the NWSH is to serve the Shaw community from infancy to senior citizenship, helping to provide healthy alternatives to strengthen the community and to break down barriers. To implement that mission, the House offers a wide range of educational activities under three main program areas:

Developmental Daycare

Social Services

Youth Services

"Jumpstart For A Day"

April 8, 2005