Our History
The history of East Boston Social Centers dates to the 1880s, when some of the settlement houses were formed to meet the needs of a new immigrant population. These agencies were pioneers in the fields of childcare, public health, and social work. Combining several predecessor agencies, East Boston Social Centers was formally incorporated in 1918.
As East Boston has evolved from a community of immigrants from across Europe, to a mostly Italian-American community, and now to an ever more diverse community with immigrants and their descendants hailing from nations across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe, the Social Centers has continued to welcome our neighbors of all ages, interests and backgrounds through our doors. Our community’s strong values of family and pride—and the East Boston Social Centers commitment to its home—have endured. Over time, we also have been proud to expand some services to serve families and children in our neighboring communities of Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop.
Pictured: Children outside the Central Square Center. Circa 1940. Photographer Unknown.
100 Years Strong
The history of the Social Centers dates to the 1880's when some of the settlement houses were formed to meet the needs of a new immigrant population. These agencies were pioneers in the fields of childcare, public health, and social work. Combining several predecessor agencies, East Boston Social Centers was formally incorporated in 1918.
The Social Centers have seen East Boston evolve from a community of immigrants from across Europe to a mostly Italian-American community—and now to an ever more diverse community with immigrants and their descendants hailing from nations across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Throughout these demographic changes, the community’s strong values of family and community pride—and the East Boston Social Centers commitment to its home—have endured. Over time, we also have been proud to expand some services to serve families and children in our neighboring communities of Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop.