Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-19
THE DORCAS MISSION
An Institution Inaugurated by Colored
Women.

at % Pierce street a number of earnest
Christian colored women Of this city have
launched a venture that, 1t Is hoped will
result in mich good. and I'm time spread
out and develop into institution of
marked Importance. Above the entrance
to the little two-story fcur-room house is
a piece of cardboard bearing the inscrip-
ton, "Dorcas Mission" and a few words
announcing to all able to read that within
is a nursery.
Just a few months ago the members of
an organization of women known the
Wayside Gatherers Of the Asbury NJ. h.
Church, in their efforts to aid the fallen
and unfortunate. conceived the idea, 50
successfully carried into practice in all
the large cities of the United States, OF
instituting a day nursery, where mothers
might leave their children while they were
busy at their places of employment.
Our girls and women who have done
wrong, but who are handicapped in their
efforts to earn an honest living because
of the presence of child or children that
cannot be left alone. and who really want
to reform should be assisted was the
statement made at one of the meetings OF
the Wayside Gatherers THE same holds
true of poor women who are dependent
upon their own endeavors for a livelihood
for themselves and children.
Plans of the Promoters.
The movement spread rapidly and before
long the services Of women from several
Otner cnuTcneS were Inc OUT
come was the rental of premises 30 Pierce
street and the placing of the plan in opera
ton. Through the personal endeavors OF
those who have affiliated themselves with
the Dorcas Mission. and owing to the gem
crosby of several of the merchants of this
city, the little house was partially furnished.
and a poor but honest and deserving widow
with two small children was installed as
matron. The plan of the promoters Is TO
receive the child Of anybody, and to care for
III from morning till night upon the pay
ment of a nominal sum by the parent. BY
this means the child is KEEP. out of the
streets and away from bad influences. IL
is well fed and receives the very oest OF
attention and furthermore. especial at
tention is paid to its moral welfare and
education
If a mother should be employed in service
and required to remain at her place of
employment at night, she can arrange IL SO
that the Dorcas Mission will care for the
child at night as well as during the day.
Every Sunday afternoon. commencing at
4 o'clock religious services are held at the
mission building, to which all are invited.
Efforts are made to secure the attendance
of the children of the neighborhood.
No Race DISCRIMINATION.
While the idea of this nursery was orig
mated and carried into successful opera
ton by colored women. and although the
reception of white children Is hardly ex-
pected. no discrimination will be made be-
cause OF race
has been one OF the prime movers In the
nursery movement since its inception In
conversation with a Star reporter. stated
that the conduct OF the institution at tho
The mission. she said. Is greatly In need OF
support and assistance Contributions
either OF food or money. VIII b mort thank
tian and charitable people. Mrs. Webster IL
in hopes that the nursery viii In time dem.
cnstrate most plainly its usefulness.