Settlement houses were volunteer institutions in many cities that ran many types of programs to help immigrants and other poor people living in cities. Some of the programs encouraged Americanization. These programs taught classes in English and helped newcomers adopt American customs, such as dress and diet, as well as offering social services and financial assistance. While these programs helped immigrants acclimate to their new environment, the people they served usually chose to maintain their ethnic identity and traditions.
New Mexico was a Spanish settlement founded in 1598. The first capital was San Juan de los caballeros,and a few more towns were founded in the region in the following decade.
