Although widespread, long-term unemployment was a hallmark of the Great Depression, legislators had been trying to cement financial support for the unemployed for nearly 20 years before the Depression began.

In the early 20th century, awareness of the need to help abandoned and abused children expanded greatly.  But it wasn’t until the 1960s that the federal, state, and local government agencies began accepting responsibility for combating child abuse and neglect.

The Social Welfare History Project is an ongoing effort to collect, preserve and share the stories of the people, organizations and events that have impacted the lives of every American.

Founded in 1889 in Chicago, the Hull House served as a model for settlement houses across the United States.