The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14
W0MEN'S CHARITY WORK
A Few OF the Causes That Enlist
Their Interest.
SUFFERING HUMANlTY'S FRIEND
The Many Societies That Help the Poor.
tho Weak and Northumberland
tions Of All Crccds-Work Among
All Glasses and Its Progress.
ASSOCIATED CHARITIES OF SCRANTON

The Associated Charities of Scranton
waA organized November "A. 1888, as u
burtAu OF information aud instruction
for the various charitable organizations
and inliN iduals of the city.
The objects of tha ASSOCIATION are:
70 secure the concurrent and har-
mOnious action of the different chari-
ties of Scranton in order to raise the
needy above the need Of relief, prevent
begging and imposition, and diminish
pauperism: to encourage thrift, self
dependence and Industry through
friendly intercourse. advice and sym
pathy. and to aid the poor to help them
selves; to prevent children from grow
ing up as paupcrs; to aid in the dittu-
sion of knowledge on subjects connect
ed with the relief of the poor: and. to
accomplish these objects, ii is d signed:
First-fo provide that the case OF ev
cry applicant for relief shall be thor
oughly investigated.
Second--To place the results Of such
investigation at the disposal of the sec
retary of the poor board. of charitable
societies and agencies and of private
persons Of beneVoience.
Third TO obtain employment, If pos.
Sible: If not. to obtain, so far as npces
Sury, suitable assistance for every de-
serving applicant from public authori-
ties, charitable agencies or benevolent
individuals.
Fourth-To make all relief. either by
aims or charitable work. conditional
upon good conduct and progress
Fifth-To send to each poor family,
under advice of proper authorities, a
friendly visitor.
SiXtll-To hold public meetings and
print for distribution
This society," which for two years has
been trying to do the work of so large a
city at the cost ana with the employees
that are used in the work of a much
smaller place, has had its agents con-
stantly working among the poor. sick
and unfortunate. trying to keep the
vast throng from becoming chronic
charges. 1t has been successful to a
certain extent in keeping many children
from becoming beggars and from be-
coming contaminated by the many
vices to which they are subjected.
over fifteen hundred homes have been
visited where a small contribution from
charity. or perhaps sympathy alone.
has given new hope and energy. In
many cases able-bOdied men were
found depending on what their children
brought home from the so-called chari-
table people. who, without knowing
their circumstances, gave. and by CIV
ing injured instead Of helped the case.
In all cases, as far as possible, work
has been obtained and good accom-
plished by preventing children and
adults from living on charity. Many
families have been lifted above the need
of taking aid and have become self-de-
pendent. and upon inquiry we have
found that they are grateful and happy
in having been assisted and taught to
help themselves.
Perhaps there has never been q pc
riod when so many really deserving
families have had to ask assistance as
In the past two years, owing to lack
of work and other social and business
conditions; and it is presumed there are
many of whom we do not know who are
Keeping up the struggle unaided.
One of the objects of the board is to
get kind and prudent persons to take
friendly interest in unfortunate fam
1lles,not to give them aims, but with
Kindness, to take friendly interest in
the home life and needs of the house,
mold, thereby becoming a great help to
them in the truest sense. There are
1amnles this year In Scranton who are
discouraged as never before on account
OF having so little work. A friends ad-
vice and help in such homes. many of
which, on account of dirt and dilapida-
ti0n, ought not to be inhabited at ALL
would be invaluable.
Many cases have improved. Many
have come to the board for advice only,
and not for aid as formerly. Volunteer
visitors are neeo also money for a
woodward, wayfa. } lodge, etc.
"A district nurse has been employed
the past winter by the board, whose
work among the poor and sick cannot
be estimated in figures. The society is
developing slowly but surely along
those lines which from time to time be-
come apparent needs in our peculiar
and difficult social surroundings.
MRS. w. B. DUGGAN.
THE CCpANTON DEcCIIC MIccInN