Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-01
FOOD: AND SHELTER
Aid to Unfortunates by Local
!: Institutions.
A NOTABLE y B INST ANoE
WORK OF THE YOUNG woMAN's
CHRISTIAN HOME.
Statistics Taken From the Records
History Of Organization and What
It Has Accomplished.
A NOTABLE INST ANoE

Christian Home, of the DiStr1ct OF columbia,
which is located in the picturesque prem!-
ses at 81 C street northwest. This home,
in which INDECENT young women can find
food and shelter, as well as kindly advice
and words of cheer from the phllanthroplc
lady managers. has long been regarded as
a necessity in this city,
This necessity became SO apparent that
at the beginning of the year 1886 the work
was started and the first home established
at 4O6 9Th street northwest. The institu-
ton was incorporated on February y OF
that year with the following incorporates:
Mary c. Wilkinson, Benjamin H. Warder,
Octavius knight, Thomas P. Morgan. Eliza
N Blair Emma E. Dorsey, Nathaniel VIII
son, Francis H. Smith. A. J. Falls, X. II.
Mussey, E. d. Powell, Caroline M. Law
renee, Francis E. .Childs, h A. Haii FL,
phonzo Youngs, Addison M. Smith ard
others
The beginning modest one but me
Importance of the institution soon became
apparent, especially after tragic occur ,.
renee in South Washington, which result
ed in the death of two sisters by asphyNla-
ton. These young women. 1t was stated,
committed suicide in their despair because
they were homeless, moneyless ana 1rlend-
less in a great city. The tragedy caused
many inquiries to be made as 10 whether
there was not in the District of Columbia
some institution in which girls or women
VINO were III d SlInlldf plight Coulu AL
uge.,
It's Humble Position.
The Young Woman's Christian Home was
in existence at that time, yet little was
known of it by the public, so modestly had
it's work been. carried on. After the death
of the unfortunate sisters the managers of
the home had printed some descriptive
placards which were posted in the police
stations railroad depotS and other public
places announcing that INDECENT or other
wise unfortunate young women would be
taken in and cared for. These announce
ments soon resulted in filling the home to
it's capacity and this condition has gener-
ally continued since.
The objects of the institution. as set
forth in the act of incorporation, are lin
tied to providing temporary home for young
women coming to and being in the District
of Columbia, who shall from any cause be
in want of and willing to accept temporary
home, care and assistance"
Mrs r. E. Nelson. president of the home,
gave as an illustration of the work accom-
plished the case of a family of four sisters,
who were cared for when they We're In
most destitute and friendless condition.
Now, through the timely assistance of
the institution" said Mrs. Nelson, they
are supporting and doing we'll
The annals of the home show many cases
of a similar character, and cases, as well,
of young girls who had fallen into the
hands Of the, police and were rescued from
terms in prison through the efforts of the
T officers Of the Young Woman's Christian
Home. ia IN -.s.-,,r.
The institution is absolutely non-sectarian.
1t is stated, and no woman Is ever refused
a nights shelter except for lack of accom-
modation.,, While those inmates who may
have employment are required to con-
tribute toward their support, in no Instance
is the charge made for the average girl
more than thirty-five cents day for room
lie xnrhi In hn a " h
out employment or whose earning power
is limited are excused from payment by
the admission committee, though. they are
expected to assist in the light housework
about the home. ...-
Helps Those Who Help Themselves.
The underlying principle of the institu-
ton is stated to be ito help women to help
themselves The annual report of Mrs.
Helen Underestimate Pairo, first vice pres
ident, states: Z .s.,... .-..g
1.-THE possibilities of the homes usefulness
were, as is we'll known, greatly multiplied
by the acquisition of the present building
(311 c street rorthwest) the gift of Miss
Elizabeth Kibby. Notwithstanding, how
ever, this increase in accommoda tons, they
are still insufficient to meet the demands of
the work, and during each month of the
past year we have been compelled owing
to such lack of accommodation. to deny
admission to some twenty-five to thirty
worthy young women. Some of the cases
have been most pitiful. 1t has been most
hard to say No when some friendiess or
phan from the pine forests of Maine,' Or
some gentlewoman; from the sunny south.
has asked, our protection and aid. The
scope Of our work is well known by the
municipal police. and the officials Of the
railroads entering the District, and they
have actively assisted in the good work by
keeping watch for unprotected young wom-
en- entering the city and directing them to
the home Scores of instances could be
cited where young women have been saved
from misery and harm by this direction and
aid. +: arx.., 49,. 49,. .
Mecca Of the Unemployed.
washington, by reason Of it being the
capital of the nation. is the Mecca of the
unemployed ofEnearly every state in the
Union, and the home; at one time or an.
other has had under its care representa-
tives from each. Our work, therefore,
should appeal most warmly to Congress
from which aid of a more substantial char
acter than has heretofore been given should
be received. It Is probable however, that
just what the home has done and desires to
do has never been clearly laid before that
body. am justified In saying this from
remark made to me by the late Senator
Mcmillan toward the end Of the last session
OF Congress he attended, after the appro-
priation bills bad been made up for the
year.. 'HadiAs kRowR sooner as I do now.
of the work the, Young Woman's Christian
Home Is. dOlng.tkfEhould have made, it my
duty to see ethatalibe aid was given it
from the pyhlic. treasury. The appropria-
ton now made vi by Congress Is 81, 600 a
year. owhieAs bas been. most helpful to us;
but in view sof ;sHhe expression of Senator
: Mcmillan II belisye that an increased sum
would be approREiated for our use by Con-
gress were 1t more fully advised Of the
work we arsidoin& 4 therefore recommend
{ that duringf the .e9snipg session of Congress-
the trustees ,indiy ddpally exert themselves
to see that. such Information is furnished"
s'... .'''. Statistical Showing.
The worksof the shome during the year is
shown foalows'fn the report: Number of
inmates June ao' 1905. "a; number admitted
during the Year. 5ss., Total. 2aa. Daily
average nuYlber of inmates At; number of
days maintxhande furnished inmates. IL
1858; numbertbf days maintenance furnished
employees. 2,370 ;alargest number of inmates
at any one time, 5As smallest number Of
inmates at anyi one time, So: normal ca
pacity of homes 35; positions secured for
inmates, g. - ).
Prior to ApriL1. 1904. no4reeord was kent
of days maintenance or odd meals furnish
ed those not inmates Or employees Since
that time our records show 1873 DAYS. MAIN
tepance and stbirty-three meals provided
A family of five persons was also supported
for about ten days.