A History and Survey of Casita Maria, a Catholic Settlement House in New York City’s Spanish Harlem: 1935–1950
Abstract
Background of the Study. Emblazoned in newspapers and magazines as New York City's worst slum, Spanish Harlem has long been notorious for its delinquency, murders, sex crimes, robberies, and various other forms of law-breaking. Yet to anyone who comes to know the citizens of this section the picture changes from one of nefariousness to one of tragedy. Crowded into this small section are thousands of men, women, and children who came to America much as our forefathers did with hopes of bettering their way of living. In the frustration of their individual lives lies the source of the crime bred in this area. In the center of Spanish Harlem lies the settlement house which is the concern of the present thesis. Founded in the hopes that it would alleviate the pitiable conditions of the Puerto Ricans, it has been a small but powerful hand in the dike which holds back despair from these people. But before the history of this Organization is traced, the reader must have the background of the problems which gave rise to the foundation of such a project.
Subject Area
Social work|Social studies education|History
Recommended Citation
Connors, John Thomas, "A History and Survey of Casita Maria, a Catholic Settlement House in New York City’s Spanish Harlem: 1935–1950" (1951). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI30724944.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI30724944
