Middletown transcript., 1893-04-08
4 NOVEL PHILANTHRoPIC IDEA.
The Helping Hand Visitors Club And
what 1t is Doing for the Working
Girls In the Big City

F.
what 1t is Doing for the Working
Girls In the Big City
"Obi how wish could get out of the
hot city for little rest and change this
summer! can't afford opay cash for my
hoard. but, indeed I'd be very glad to sew
Or do any kind of work about the house
for itn exclaimed bright young woman to
a svnpathetic customer with philanthropic
inclinations, whom she was serving No;
I've no one / could visit" she continued, in
renlv to the natural suggestion that she
might visit friend.
A few days later the customer was calling
at a charming little home in a pleasant
suburb. when her hostess, apropos of some
pressing duties, said:
sIf knew of some nice young woman
who would like to spend a week or two
in the country, and who would come and
stay here and help me little with my
work each day, would board her without
charge. and be glad of the chance! 1T
would really be mutual benefit; she
would have an inexpensive outing-a gem
uine outing, too, for l could easily
arrange matters so that she might have
good portion of each day for recreation and
to enjoy this bracing air and picturesque
scenery-and could get caught up in
some of my sewing, and have some rest,
too; and each would be giving full
equivalent for value received. You're
always studying up some plan to
help people who try to help themselves,
can't you suggets something for my
case?"
She of the philanthropic inclinations inn
mediately bethought herself of the bright |
Young woman in the stiffling city shop. |
They talked the matter over, and in less
than week the city girl was enjoying the |
longed- for country surroundings, while |
her hostess was equally happy in the |
prospect of getting caught up in her
work and having some rest. The expert
ment proved a perfect success; and thus
was sown the germ which has grown
into the Helping Hand Visitors Club, a
unique organization, formed on the plan
carried out in the first experiment, through
which those who have homes i'll the
country and who would like to receive
Helping Hand Visitor for sojourn of any
specified length can be put into eommuni-
cation with respectable self-supporting
women in cities-clerks, seamstresses, mi
liners, etc.-wko, though anxious to spend
a short vacation in the country, cannot
afford the necessary expenditure for
board.
Undoubtedly, there are many who would
be glad to receive these young women into
their homes on the condition that in return
for board and lodging they would render
service in sewing or housework leaving
Of course, sufficient time dur
ing the day to enjoy the pleasurers of
walks, drives, or other recreations.
A Central Bureau has been established in
New York for furthering the purposes of
the club, and extending its development in
all directions.
Philanthropic women interested in form
ing local branches for carrying out this
great work, housekeepers wishing to re-
ceiye Helping Hand Visitors, or young
desiring to spend their vacation
under such conditions, are invited to ad
dress the Secretary of the Helping Hand
Visitors Club, 15 East Fourteenth Street,
New York, enclosing a stamped envelope
for reply.