The Portland daily press., 1886-05-13
THE TEMPORARY HOME.
The Annual Meeting, Reports and
Election of Officers.

The annual meeting of the Temporary
Home for Women and Children was held at
the Fraternity rooms yesterday afternoon.
The secretary, Miss H. l.. Fox, made the
following report for the managers:
The managers of the Temporary Home for
Women and Children present their fourth
annual report with an increasing confidence
in their work. claiming that their charity is
s'far-reaching and true" While the immedi-
ate wants of these needy ones are first at
tended to, the best efforts OF the ladies are
given to show them it is happier to lead bet
ter lives than degraded ones; to bring perSo-
nal influence to bear on each to persuade
them to industry, thrift, honesty, faithful
ness to their children, and all that tends to a
higher morality; in short, "to give right di-
rection to lives that from inheritance, mis-
fortune or wrong-doing would otherwise
tend to poverty and SIM One of our great
est aids in these efforts is the influence of
home, blessing hitherto unknown to most
of our inmates; many of them return during
o change OF places as to their own home, and
we find them susceptible to the reformatory
control OF the matron and her assistant.
Diseouragements were to be expected, but
rays OF cheer come when poor mother begs
that her child may be received into the Home
because she fears her own influence
would harm it, and deserted wife and
mother rejoiees that she can board her little
one IN this good home, and wishes all moth
erS felt as comfortable as she does Wllle
daily toiling for baby's bread.
A child was found in an aims house in
distant part of our State with its childish IN
stincts almost crushed out of by the soll-
tary life it led with an aged and degraded
woman. When brought to the Home, she
did not know how to play or associate with
children, but has now developed into very
interesting little girl, and been adopted into
good home.
Small have been the means at the COM
mand of the managers; but when the loan OF
little furniture and few other neceSsaries
enables the reformed father and hopeful
mother to again make home for their little
ones or, taking the baby of five months
from motherless group which the brave
elder sister can then care for, induces the
father to forsake the tempting glass and send
the money for baby's board; or, the young
girl who being enticed into and detained in a
house where she ought not to be, escapes,
and seeks the aid of the city marshal, who
gladly. sends her to this refuge where she
finds the needed protection; all these, and
others which could be reported, prove the
need of this institution.
One branch of this work is receiving wom-
en- and children of all ages who are taken to
the police station for intemperance or other
misdemeanors, instead of placing them in
cells where they could meet only evil COM
panions.
The sanitary condition of the Home has
been remarkably good. But few cases OF Sc
we're sickness have occurred, and they soon
yielded to the wise judgment and untiring
skill of our physician, aided by the motherly
care of the matron and her assistants. One
birth and two deaths have taken place dur
ing the last year; one of the latter being the
result of violation of rule of the house.
Homes have been provided for children.
Special mention is due to our matron for
her devoted and unselish labors in her try
ing position; and we sincerely regret that
her failing health rendered change neces-
sary. The managers consider themselves
specially fortunate that the present matron
would consent to fill the vacancy
Fifty-two inmates have been cared for dur
ing the year. Either homes in families have
been secured, or temporary shelter afforded,
or assistance given to those DESTROYS of re-
uniting their families.
| Our friends far and near will understand
| by this report that all classes of the needy
| from all parts of our State are aided to the
| extent of our means; keeping out of debt
| being the only limit to our efforts; and at
| the risk of repetition we emphasize our de-
sire not only to benefit those who come into
| the Home, but by fostering their self-respect
| hope that when they again return to the
world of temptation they will have a
| strengthening influence over other weak sis
| tiers. AS far as is possible the managers
| keep friendly oversight of those who leave
the Home. This tends to make them feel
| they have not passed beyond their sympathy
| By contributions which have been re-
ceived from farmers of fruits and vegetables
and from societies both in and out of oul
city of clothing and materials useful to the
| inmates as well as the Home, the manager,
are hopeful that as the workings of the in
| stitution become better known they will
secure wider circle of approving friends
| To all these friends and all others who have
in any way contributed aid by donations OF
work in and around the Home, the managers
are very grateful Also to the press of this
| city they offer thanks for the favors received
| from them
Miss NJ. d. Gould, the treasurer reported
| as follows: