Brownson Settlement House:

In 1902 Mary Julia Workman, grandniece of Homestead founders William Workman and Nicolasa Urioste, established Brownson Settlement House in Los Angeles to support immigrant communities by providing essential services such as food, healthcare, education, and employment assistance. Collaborating with mostly young female volunteers, Workman developed an innovative Americanization program that blended civic education with respect for immigrants’ cultural identities and languages. While Brownson Settlement House operated as a Catholic institution, it welcomed individuals from all religious backgrounds, emphasizing inclusivity. Workman’s approach to social reform contrasted sharply with the nativist ideologies that dominated the Progressive Era. By preserving cultural traditions and promoting linguistic diversity, she offered a distinct model of Americanization that challenged mainstream practices.

Join Homestead volunteer and UCLA PhD student José  Castro in discussion for this fascinating look at the intersection of faith, immigration, and race in American history. 

Born and raised in Mexico City, José Luis Castro Padilla earned a Bachelor…