The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-06-01
CHICAGO BUREAU OF CHARITIES.
What is 1t?

What is It?
An organization formed by the Phil
anthropic Committee of the Civic FEEDER
alton year and half ago. 1t is now
incorporated, and established in the First
National Bank Building.
What is it trying to do?
Its name gives general idea OF the
scope of it's work. 1t is clearing house
for the charitable effort Of the city. 1t
aims to be philanthropic center. 1t
seeks to CO ordinate endeavor and secure
the largest measure of results.
Specifically, it undertakes to meet
three needs:
1. INFORMATION. For this purpose it
maintains an extensive department OF
registration. So far as possible record
is kept of all charitable work done in the
city, all families aided and all organiza-
tions at work. The information thus
secured is open to all who want to aid
the unfortunate. thus saving them from
imposition; it is open to agents of relief
societies, thus saving their time; it is
open to the worthy poor, thus putting
them in the way of help. There is no
one of the great variety of forms of mis-
fortune which can not secure needed
advice and information from the Bureau.
By the work of this department waste of
effort in all its forms, especially in dupli.
l. Id hHnp
eau has of course only made begin
ming in this work, but has enrolled al
ready $4,000 cases OF restitution, with in
formation about each one.
2. ORGANIZATION. In city so vast
as ours, no enterprise succeeds without
thorough organization. Especially is
this true of an enterprise which enlists
so many individuals and seeks to do 80
varied work as does that of relieving
distress. Without organization some of
the work is overdone, some under done.
some badly done. and much not done at
all. Organization when effective is
equivalent to cooperation. 1t is the di.
rection of energy. The Bureau endeav-
ors to bring this about. 1t does not
seek to consolidate charities into one or
ganization, believing this to be fatal to
the quality OF the work. 1t does seek to
associate charities, believing this to be
essential both for quantity and quality
OF work done. In the line of organiza-
ton much has been accomplished the
past winter. The three sides of the city
have been divided into districts. These
districts have been subdivided, and the
care of particular sections assumed by
churches and relief societies. In many
of these districts careful work has been
done. Though the organizations were
necessarily imperfect the great destitu-
ton of the season past was more prompt
ly and effectually met than ever before.
3. EDUCATION. This need is put last
but is not least. "What shall l dor" and
"How shall 1 do it," are questions which
need to be suggested to and answered
for large number of charitably inclined
people. Into this field the Bureau en-
deavors to enter. Especially it seeks to
proclaim and enforce the central truth
of the science of charity which is con-
densed in the maxim: mot aims but a
friend" The prosperous can not per-
manently aid the unfortunate by giving
of their prosperity only. They must
give of themselves. Aid distributed by
any form of relief agency which does not
give also friendly sympathy, is prem
ium on pauperism. To bring the ave-
nue. in contact with the alley is the prob
lem to be solved. The avenue needs it
as badly as the alley. Education in duty
and responsibility. as well as in ways
and means is needed by us all. The
Bureau endeavors to be Of use in teach
ing the poor how to help themselves. and
in teaching the well-to do how to help
the poor to help themselves.
Friendly Visitation.
All this work of information, organiza-
tion and education, finds expression and
effect in the work of friendly visitation.
The poor are visited not professionally,
but fraternally. The comfortable home
and kind heart come in contact with the
barren home and bitter heart. The vice
and thriftlessness which so often accom-
pany poverty are patiently and wisely
confronted. The Good Samaritan is re.
produced and multiplied. The problem
OF poverty is indefinitely divided and at