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The mission of Peoples Settlement Association is to improve the quality of life for the residents of Wilmington's Eastside through the delivery of programs and services.

Description:
Peoples Settlement Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to provide an array of comprehensive social service programs to improve the quality of life for Wilmington residents.

Disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods often generate an outpouring of generosity from individuals and communities. However, small disasters occur every day in the lives of many people. Running out of food, the loss of housing, the loss of utilities, chronic/terminal health problems, the need for clean clothing and basic household items are disasters that happen to families in Wilmington daily.

Peoples Settlement strives to alleviate the pressure many of these families face day-to-day by providing emergency food services, clothing assistance, utilities and housing assistance, and funeral assistance for an unexpected loss.

Become part of a team dedicated to assuring the quality of life for all Americans. Become a volunteer at Peoples Settlement! Welcome.

History:
Peoples Settlement is a 105 year old not-for-profit organization. Founded in 1901, by the late Sarah Webb Pyle. Ms. Pyle created the organization to address the needs of the European immigrants settling on the Eastside of Wilmington. The organization's primary focus was to assist them in making the necessary adjustments to their new home and to provide recreational activities for the family. Ms. Pyle initiated the organization with a mere monthly stipend of $15.00. She managed to support herself and provide recreational activities from a three room shack with her small income. Soon after, Ms. Pyle realized that in order to better serve her community she needed both funds and adequate space.

Ms. Pyle placed her pride and shyness aside and sought out the assistance of one of Delaware's most prominent individuals, Mr. P.S. duPont. Mr. duPont admired the motivation and dedication that this woman had for her community and gave her $5,000.00 toward the building fund that ultimately resulted in the current structure located at 408 East Eighth Street. PSA, often called the "Miracle of East Eighth Street," became a safe haven for many in the 1940's.

Ms. Pyle initiated the Peoples Settlement Association with little knowledge as to how it would maintain itself, yet she moved forward on faith in the future and in her community. It is this kind of faith and dedication that will forever embellish upon the legacy of PSA.

Under the guidance of its founder, Sarah Webb Pyle and the executive directors which have included Mayor James H. Sills, Jr. and presently Mr. Keith Lake, PSA has continued its legacy of public service to Wilmington residents.

Miss Pyle received many honors for her work. She was known as "the little mother of the East side" and also as the "Jane Addams" of Delaware. In 1951, the Lions Club presented her with a plaque designating her as the outstanding woman of Wilmington. Miss Pyle was also an honorary member of the Quota Club and a member of Grace Methodist Church. When the Wilmington School Board named the Sarah Webb Pyle School in 1953 they broke with tradition. Previously, no school had been named to honor a living person.

Sarah Webb Pyle passed away on March 4, 1959

Contact people:

Keith Lake, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Morenike Leon, Director Of Family Services, (phone), (email) Brenda Gunter, Project Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (302) 658-7406

Address:

408 East Eighth Street Wilmington, DE 19801 (See a map)

Web Site: http://psassociation.org

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: Rodney Square, 5 minutes minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	Yes