The Portland daily press., 1881-04-23
THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES.
The First Annual Meeting and Secre-
tary'slReport.

Thursday evening the Associated Charities
ing officers were elected:
President-William Senter
Vice Presidents-William w. Thomas,
James P. Baxter, Prentiss Loring.
Secretary and Treasurer-Anna ID. ID. Evans
The following report of the secretary was
read and accepted
The first report of an association is, of neces-
Sity, statement of work proposed, ratner
than of work accomplished, for however vast
may be the design, the beginning must be
small. To this general rule the experience
of this society offers no exception.
The Associated Charities is not another re-
lief agency. 1t is designed to fill the gap be-
tween already existing ones-to become the
central point from which all shall radiate,
and through which. each, preserving its lnd ma,
viduality and working IN its own sphere, shall
receive aid and protection from all.
To this end a perfect system of registration
is necessary, which shall be complete cata-
logue of all persons receiving charity, by
whomsoever aided. This work was begun in
December, and reports from all
The Widows Wood Society, the Provident
Association, the Overseers of the Poor, the
Diet Mission, and, more recently, the Samari-
tan Association responded to the request, and
udNo luruISHou iuOutuly isis Oi IHolr Ueu0uCld-
ries. From these sources 1888 names of individu-
ais and families have beenreceived and record
ed. The visitors have investigated SIS cases at
. the request of persons interested in them.
Their reports containing, like those from the
societies, all facts as to the condition, needs,
and abilities of the families visited, with the
amount of aid received from any source, are
returned to the persons making the applica-
ton, who are thus enabled to measure their
relief with knowledge of the facts. 1T would
be impossible within tie proper limits of this
report, to go into any details of these cases.
furnish little variety. They are histories of
want and suffering IN dreary monotony.
All cases seeming to require immediate re-
lief are referred at once to the proper society,
assistance as they think requisite. And if, at
times, the generous impulse of the inexperi-
enced visitor is chilled by the cooler Judgment
of these experts, it is accepted as a wholesome
training. When help is needed largely in ex-
cess of the rules of the societies, the visitor
endeavors to supply the want, to aid with
counsel and encouragement-to find employ
ment for such as are able to work, and in
every way to brighten the lives of these unfor-
tunate persons.
The work room for women, under the charge
of q committee of ladies, was opened in Febru-
airy. Here sewing is prepared and furnished to
deserving mediterranean, who are paid at
fair prices in groceries. Work-to the amount
of fifty cents week only is given to any ap-
plicant, and the numbers who seek this slight
aid prove the need of such an establishment.
The garments thus made are sold at a small
advance upon the actual cost. And though it
would be impossible to offer greater bargains"
than are obtained at most of the shops, it
is hoped that Especial inducements to buyers"
may be found in the charity thus aided.
The success of similar societies in other cit
les warrants the belief that in the fulness of
time the Associated Charities of Portland will
work its way into recognition and favor. In
Boston it has brought in its train, in addition
to the work room, an educational laundry,
whore instruction is given in all the details of
laundry work, cooking school, where women
and girls are taught plain, economical cooking,
industrial rooms, where instruction is given
in cutting and making clothing, a day nursery
and kindergarten school, and a work shop
where boys are taught the use of tools.
To attempt to demonstrate the value of
these institutions would be an insult to the
understanding of every thoughtful person. No
figures of arithemetic nor of rhetoric could es-
innate it. 1t may not be practicable at pres
ent to establish all or any of them in Portland,
but it is, perhaps, worth thinking of.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNA FL. d. EVANS, Secretary.