Remembering Clarence Boebel
Remembering Clarence Boebel Donation Page
I’ve see all sorts of creative approaches taken, from Saul Alinsky to some spellbinders who have pulled people together for a short time, but the only one that really worked was the simplest one. That was: regardless of your culture or ethnic differences, you settled in the neighborhood and said--“What is it we can do together?”
Honor the life and legacy of pioneering social worker and leader in the settlement movement, Clarence William Boebel (1924 – 2013). As executive director of the Chicago Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers, Mr. Boebel exemplified what Jane Addams called "the settlement spirit" through his leadership and dedication to the common good. At the Hull-House Museum, we are inspired by Mr. Boebel's work and his salient call to action: "What is it we can do together?" We invite you to visit the Hull-House Museum to remember the settlement movement and join together in the struggle for social justice.
To honor Clarence Boebel’s life, please share your time, talents and treasure to make this a kinder, more beautiful world. The Boebel family requests that donations in honor of Mr. Boebel be made to the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum.
Personal checks can be made out to the University of Illinois Foundation with “Clarence Boebel Memorial Fund” in the memo. Checks should be sent to: Hull-House Museum 800 S Halsted MC-051 Chicago, IL 60607
Remembering Clarence William Boebel
(1924 – 2013)
Clarence William Boebel was a dedicated leader in the settlement movement, committing his life to public service. He served as executive director of the Chicago Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers from 1962 – 1980.
Founded at Hull-House in 1894, the Federation brought together settlement workers, social work professionals, and supporters of the settlement house movement from around Chicago. During Boebel’s tenure, the Federation expanded the national Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program, founded pre- Kindergarten education programs (i.e. Heat Start and Day Care), and created the United Settlement Appeal to fundraise for social service agencies.
In Knoxville, Tennessee, Boebel developed the first integrated service program in the city and one of the first in the south as director of the Dale Avenue Settlement. Boebel became the first director of the Tennessee Youth Guidance Commission, leading the Commission to create statewide reform of the juvenile court and create a prototype of the first Department of Human Services. The agency trained the first group of Georgia young people in non-violent protest, preparing to conduct lunch- counter sit-ins.
Clarence Boebel passed away on February 28, 2013, at the age of 88. He is survived by three children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Chicago Tribune Obituary: Chicago Tribune
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* All views expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, or the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Architecture and the Arts.