The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-29
HERE IS A REAL CHARITY.
1HB coon WORk DOVE M THH
WETMORE HOME

Themselves -IsterestIng Experiences.
| Twenty eight years ago the wetmore Home
for Fallen and Friendless Girls was opened in
West Houston street. having for its object to
provide home for friendless girls who have
| fallen or who are in circum stances that may
lead to their fall from want Of employment.
| from restitution, or from evil associates In
1881. the present building 40 South Washing
ton square. was purchased and the home per-
| manently located. The situation is especially
| favorable. the square at the front giving cir
| and sunshine and n pleasant outlook although
In close proximity to the haunts Of people
whom the managers OF the Homo wish to reach.
The house accom- m odates about sixty in-
mates. II is not desirable to make the nuns
| Der larger. as It would do away with the homes
| like character Of the place. Another house In
| the vicinity. 141 West Fourth street. has re-
| Gently been opened. It IL called the Annex,
and is q refuge for those girls who becomG
mothers. Girls in trouble often appeal to the
Home for help. They are placed In q hos
pital. and afterward brought back to the Home
and cared for. The mother is made TO bslievs
that there lie still q chance for her to become
good woman. and that IL is her duty to bring
her child up to be upright The mother IL
taught a trade so that she can care for her
child and then suitable place is found for her.
The Annex Is q cosey little house which has
been put In thorough repair and furnished By
generous donations. 1t has q large sunny
nursery for the babies. with dormitory accom-.
modations for ten women. An experienced
nurse is In charge. and great pains are taken to
teach these ignorant young mothers how 70
care properly for their children 40 well as to
love them. The daily average In the Annex
has been eight adults Three mothers with
infants have been taken By friends. thirty have
been sent to places In the country. most OF
whom have done well ana are supporting
themselves and their children.
The idea OF the Home Is to make II homo to
those who have never known what tho word
means-a place whore girls can find refuge
and help, where they will be surrounded BY re-
Hning influences. and where they may become
competent to take care Of themselves. No
commissioner 10 sent out to hunt up outcasts
and bring them into the Home The girls must
come voluntarily; come from desire TO lead
better lives, or must be brought by guardiana.
and dependence is placed upon moral inlu-
ence to retain them.
The Home is designed for young girls. from
~ to 25, though the doors are open to any
who need shelter and help. The greater num-
Is the age when they are most subject to
temptation and most easily influenced. Many
have she
huence OF the Homo they are lifted to lead
There is no limit to the time they may re-
main. The purpose OF the Home. however. 10
not to afford temporary shelter. but to keep
The girls are taught all sorts o. housework.
laundry work, and dressmaking. There Is only
10 at SO much a dozen, and the girls are paid
given an outsider. The laundry ia an attractive
place, Immediately clean, with the fresh.
Ground the walls, tho rows Of freshly ironed
linen. dainty underwear. and ehildren's tiny
Sl9e ns
spotless white clothes blow back and forth.
Ss II oy sss T1ns sRs pa
ant smile has the entire charge OF the aInd ~
Gcme ,ssss sS
nothing outside OF the work she had been
I'd stairs n. a Biz, sunny sitting room. is an
T the
turn out some elaborate costumes.
When girl first comes she receives an OLD
article Of wearing apparel. which she Is taught
ment for herself. new material being added il
necessary. On this she has her first lesson In
ferent branches. situations are found for them.
sls:s s:ps .sSs s$' g NE nasSSsss.
sIuggIsh and interesting the restless. Vocal
mases dfe6tof Of Il 'GS by
nice LITTLE library Of Interesting bo cox has
ssn Of latest pefi9dieas are stissa
about the tables. Tho walls are hung with
STs Of ef e
how soon with a little help they learn to sec
S mad II 4 S sEs sf.s
pride IN the fine linen aud pretty china given
Sns raj rather her si%se minded girl on her srrv-
q aid not know the use Of napkin and mis-
took It for q, hsP PIa some IN two weeks
napkin was forgotten. She sat down n hsE
place but Discovering no pap napEhin. she dioIdeed
marx ed it and asked her what was the matter
eat Without 4s oas soms t Of the girls rs@sm
boring the use she had made OF one the first
Kin 10 for" She drew herself up and ans wsrsd,
II didn't knew. but l do now. and won't eat
A woman once remarked TO the matron that
she spoiled the girls for servants by surround
upon napkins. saying that she could not AFFORD
to give her servants napkins. But he mAtron
ta boa Hn own me s Sns
living, who will appreciate and care for those
The most difiicuit points to contend with In
the girls are idleness and earelessness. The
s5sISgs II 20 ar arouse mel Interest aud make
OF the applicants. with all manner Of histories
Ths saaas Tspoft tSs Ton sse
young woman who was entieed from her family
city. Alter living with her for TWO Years he
deserts her, and she found he was about to
see notice OF the Home published In a news
sponsiys to the Kindness shown her. and 10
few months she was placed in an excellent
= from there she wrote the following letter to
the mAtTon:
Mr. DEAE AEL LAsE Your knd and welcome letter
received this morning. ana you eant imagine bow
pleased was 20 hear from you do not doubt for one