University Settlement is a multi-service agency that was founded in 1910 and has the distinction of being the first community-based social service centre in the City of Toronto. The Grange neighbourhood is a culturally rich and vibrant area, and as part of this diverse community, University Settlement strives to meet the social, economic, and cultural needs of its neighbours and users through its many programs and services.

With a full-time and part-time staff of approximately 150, University Settlement has developed programs to address the needs of more than 30,000 users annually through diverse areas such as daycare, settlement services, employment counselling, senior services, youth programming, and English language classes.

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto and bordering on the revitalized Grange Park, University Settlement is housed in a 47,330 square foot building belonging to the City of Toronto, and has onsite facilities that include a full size gymnasium, a 75’ swimming pool and a new state-of-the-art fitness room, opening in the fall of 2006. The Music and Arts School, which offers a wide range of private lessons and community programming, is located on the second floor and has six private music studios which are available for rental. The daycare, with rooms ranging in age from infant to pre-school, has two playgrounds and its own kitchen where lunch and snacks are prepared fresh daily. During the weekends, University Settlement opens its doors to the homeless, providing meals, showers and sleeping accommodations for as many as 75 individuals each night.

University Settlement has three other locations in addition to its main site. Employment and Training is located at Spadina and Bloor at 720 Spadina Avenue. The LINC site, which houses its own childminding centre, is across the street from the Art Gallery of Ontario on Dundas Street, one block north of Grange Road. Our newest office, in North York, is located at 4920 Yonge Street, just north of Sheppard Ave.

While operating on an annual budget of $5 million, University Settlement remains a long-standing United Way Member Agency, and receives funding from the United Way of Greater Toronto, the Federal and Provincial governments, the City of Toronto and the private sector. In addition, funds are collected through registration fees of various programs and a number of different fundraising events held by the Agency.

University Settlement is incorporated as a non-profit and charitable organization which is directed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are elected by its members at its Annual General Meeting each summer.

View University Settlement's historical timeline here.