The New York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor was formed in 1843 and incorporated in 1848. It was a non-sectarian charitable organization, formed to systematize and distribute charity in New York. Its work was funded solely by voluntary contributions.
The Association tried to elevate the moral and physical condition of impoverished people with no other charitable support, inspire them to self-sufficiency, and relieve cases of necessity. The Association divided the city into districts and sections; a "Visitor" was assigned to investigate and report on relief cases in each section. The Association eventually had oversight of a bathhouse, industrial settlement house, labor bureau, and summer retreat house. In 1939, the New York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor merged with the Charity Organization Society of the City of New York to form the Community Service Society of New York.
From the description of Miscellaneous papers and correspondence of the New York Association for the Improvement of the Condition of the Poor, 1844-1861. (College of Physicians of Philadelphia). WorldCat record id: 122489618
