Immigrant Social Services

Immigrant Social Services is a community-based organization dedicated to supporting immigrant children, youth, and families navigating the challenges of urban transition. Established in 1972 in Chinatown, the agency has spent more than five decades fostering educational success, cultural pride, and social resilience across Lower Manhattan communities.

The agency's primary focus centers on comprehensive youth development and out-of-school-time enrichment. Its afterschool programs and summer academies, operating at local public schools and community spaces, deliver structured homework assistance, bilingual literacy tutoring, and hands-on STEAM exploration. Through the specialized Youth Prevention and Gang Intervention initiative, staff provide positive youth development, violence prevention workshops, conflict resolution counseling, and recreational activities that keep young people on positive paths toward successful futures.

Beyond youth development, the organization operates community wellness and intergenerational initiatives from its neighborhood storefronts. The Storefront for Ideas serves as an accessible community exhibition, workshop, and gathering space for creative expression, intergenerational storytelling, and textile arts like the Stitch Club. Staff also coordinate senior socialization activities, resource navigation for non-English-speaking parents, and community food distributions. Families can enroll students by contacting the Henry Street facility or visiting program sites. Community members can get involved by volunteering as afterschool tutors, leading workshops, or making charitable contributions.