National Republican., 1884-01-09
THE woMAN,s CHRISTIAN HOME.
Synopsis OF the Annual Report 10 he SUBJ
mitted ut the NeHt NIeetIng.

NJ N0S NNAt NhNNbhRs
Among the most thoroughly benevolent in.
stitutions in this city is the Woman's Chris
tian association home, on Thirteenth street,
between X and S streets northwest. The
building, which was erected specially by the
founders of the organization, is a comfortable
and Commodious one. 1t is divided into conf
Portable parlors, dining rooms, kitchen,
fourteen bed rooms for female inmates,
and departments for old ladies and
children. reporter of tho REPUBLICAN,
accompanied by Miss Catherine Il. Bent. the
mstron, went through the rooms yesterday
evening, and found them neat clean and
comfortable. In the old ladies' department
the matron pointed out Aunt Tilley," n
venerable old lady, whose hair has been
whitened by the SHOWS of eighty.sx winters.
She is still hale, and in spite OF her ripe old
age spends much of her time reading! And
sewing. Another inmate, not quite so old as
Aunt Tilley," devotes her spare moments to
a pet Maltese cat. Her feline companion has
been provided with comfortable bed in ono
corner Of the room, near which tempting
tray of meat and milk is constantly kept.
In the foster home" or children's depart.
ment the reporter found thirty-onc ruddy
faced, romping children, ranging from to 10
years, playing together and singing in n large
play room. This apartment was pleasantly
warm and contrasted significantly with tho
driving rain and wind outside which howled
and ratified the window panes. Mrs. Gar
dener, matron Of this department. stated
that the children have been remarkably
healthy. Not one case of sickness has been
reported this season. They are taught in q
well regulated kindergarten school on the
premises. The children are mostly half
orphans, their parents, either father or
mother, being working people. The visiting
day for parents aud friends are Tuesdays.
Tho'annual report OF the home will be sub
mitted at the next meeting of the association.
1t is an interesting paper, aud shows that the
home is supported by an annual congressional
appropriation of 5000, membership fees do
nations from churches and individuals aud
amounts paid by certain classes Of boarders.
The latter embraces class of young girls
who work at trades and in stores. They pay
weekly sums, not greater in any case than
$3.50. Then there is class of old ladies
who pay an admission fee of $780, and
are kept for life without additional pay
ments. There is but one vacancy
in this class and several applications. There
are two old ladies whose board is regularly
paid by the congregations of Wesley chapel
and the New York Avenue Presbyterian
church respectively. Many OF the old ladies,
however, are very poor and do rot pay board.
The total number of females accomm odated
during the year was 1i6, exclusive of chill
dren. At present there are twenty eight
inmates. During the past year forty-fi
young girls have found employment through
the agency Of the association. Mothers with
infants are taken in FREQ. Any female is
furn ished with nights lodging except she
be under the influence of liquor. The food
supplied is of good quality and the sleeping
accommodations all that could be desired,