An important initiative of Jane Addams and the Hull-House Settlement was the Immigrants’ Protective League (IPL), founded in 1908 by Grace Abbott (who served as its first Director) and other social reformers at Hull-House. The IPL advocated for immigrants’ rights, fought against exploitation, and helped ease the adjustment to an urban American environment by providing legal aid, employment services, information about medical care and other basic needs, and citizenship classes. The IPL later became the Traveler’s Aid Society and is now Heartland Alliance.
           
In keeping with the legacy of the Immigrants’ Protective League and the Hull-House Settlement’s many cultural and educational programs, the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum is creating  Chicago: An Immigrant City, whichwill consist of a comprehensive resource guide to the city and a book of reflections on the immigrant experience by immigrants, artists, activists, scholars, and youth. The resource guide will compile critical information for both documented and undocumented immigrants on how to obtain basic goods, services, and a directory of community service organizations. The Reflections book will also include a foreword by Elvira Arellano and a chapter on the immigrants’ rights movement. Chicago: An Immigrant City will be printed in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Polish, and Chinese to serve the diverse population of Chicago.

New immigrants can reference this portable guide to find resources accessible to them, including legal and employment services. Jane Addams believed in protecting immigrants’ rights by providing them with opportunities to improve their lives and become more civically engaged. Drawing on Hull-House’s tradition of promoting the arts to encourage a more participatory democracy, the guide will also include information on venues and events for cultural expression and exploration. Furthermore, the Reflections book features chapters highlighting cultural diversity and current social issues, connecting experiences shared throughout the community. Emphasizing these connections brings to light the importance of coalition building to promote Jane Addams’ vision of peace and solidarity.

In the tradition of the Hull-House Settlement, the museum maintains connections with local neighborhoods and is currently working together with several contributing partner agencies such as the National Immigrant Justice Center, El Zócalo Urbano, United African Organization, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Korean American Resource and Cultural Center, and the Polish American Association to create Chicago: An Immigrant City.

Carla Navoa
Intern, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum