ABOUT US
MISSION & VISION
Mission
To give clients hope by offering a community of empowerment through providing meals, basic needs, outreach, and support services, while creating a legacy of positive change for Brownsville.
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Core Values
Good Neighbor Settlement House exists to provide help, hope, and opportunity to men, women, and children in need. Services are offered to the near homeless and homeless in our community.
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We believe that all services are to be provided with good manners, a cordial attitude, and respect. Non-judgmental attitudes are to be displayed.
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We believe that addictions can be overcome through prayer, medical treatment, and deep, abiding, healthy relationships.
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We believe that homelessness can be a temporary condition and that, when desired, can be overcome with personal healing, educational assistance, housing, and employment.
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Vision
Helping people help themselves, with dignity and compassion, one client at a time.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
Good Neighbor Settlement House was established in 1953 by the First United Methodist Church in Brownsville, Texas.
It was created to provide basic services to the Buena Vida neighborhood, the poorest neighborhood in Brownsville.
As Brownsville evolved, a growing homeless population meant that many men and women were on the streets. Good Neighbor Settlement House has expanded its role to include serving the hungry and the homeless population of Brownsville.
STAFF
Astrid Dominguez
Executive Director
Belinda Bradford
Assistant Director
Larry Reser
Accountant
Rosario Garcia
Data Program Assistant
Nancy Gutierrez
Kitchen Manager
Rosie Garcia
Kitchen Assistant
Jose Carlos Torres
Maintenance
Alvaro Sosa
Maintenance Manager
Alejandra Maderos
Client Services Coordinator
Guadalupe Aguilar
Case Manager
Jose Ibarra
Food Bank Manager
Sergio Zamora
Food Bank Assistant
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ASTRID DOMINGUEZ:
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Since its inception in 1953, Good Neighbor Settlement House has helped and served those in need. We started by helping the community at Buena Vida Barrio, but as Brownsville grew, GNSH has correspondingly evolved and expanded its services to include serving the hungry, unsheltered, and migrants.
Nowadays we are a beacon of hope and love for many in our community. We strive to empower our clients with the support and tools they need to overcome homelessness once they are ready and prepared. Moreover, we aim to offer some respite to migrants who just arrived in our country.
I am humbled to be leading such an amazing organization that is deeply committed to serving those who need it the most. I celebrate and will always be committed to our ethos of compassion and dignity.
We are a community united to end homelessness, one person at a time.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS​
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Daniel Elkin
President
Director of Policy Impact, CDCB​
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Nancy Dimas
Vice President
Project Dignity Legal Team
Catholic Charities – RGV
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Elizabeth Bernus
Treasurer
CPA
TBA
Secretary
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MEMBERS
Aaron Rendon
Attorney
Pastor Celia Halfracre
Senior Pastor
Maria Diez
Fundraising
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Elizabeth Chavez
Judicial Analyst
Cameron County
Jaime Lucio
Small Business Owner
Sergio Cordova
Lead Educational Diagnostician
with Brownsville ISD