The ethos of the settlement house movement called for its workers to “settle” in such neighborhoods in order to learn first-hand the problems of the residents.

[4] The neighborhood had a progressive, reformist commitment: Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia lived in East Harlem, spoke often at Union Settlement, and personified the political activism of the area.

[5] Union Settlement's work has helped tens of thousands of children, youth, and adults, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in the community and beyond, including New York secretary of state Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez and City Council Member Robert Jackson.

Hollywood movie star Burt Lancaster played sports, acted in theater productions, and learned circus arts at Union Settlement as a boy.

[7] McCord's term as headworker ended in 1901 following his resignation, and Gaylord S. White replaced him, eventually serving in that position for 22 years.

In 1965, Union Settlement became the site of one of the country's first Head Start Programs, the federally sponsored preschool initiative launched as one of the Great Society undertakings.

Network members serve people who are HIV positive or are living with HIV/AIDS, and their relatives and partners Union Settlement celebrated its 125th year in operation in 2020.