The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-31
The Brook Avenue Mission.

THE bond of neighborhood is the most
human, yea even the most divine OF all
bonds. Every man you meet Is your
brother and must be for good or evil
\ In these days Of social settlements Of
nelghborhood houses and OF all helpful
organizations based on the brotherhood
or man, the free kindergartens feel a
pardonable pride. as they reflect that they
have been in and of this work from the
beginning. "The kindergarten is as got
but grain Of mustard seed. which has
scarcely begun to sprout; but 1t is rooted
in, all good things, 1t Is related to all
4 forward movements and Is destined to
grow until as Froebel saw IT in prophetic
vision, It becometh tree, so that the
birds of the air come and lodge in the
branches thereof"
Four years ago 'the Woman's Chris
tlan Association" of this city, started
free kindergarten on Brook Avenue
for the little children Of the neighbour
hood between three and seven years OF
age. Gradually its influence spread to
the homes and needs In other directions
showed themselves.
Mothers meetings were held every
month. so thnt mother and kindergarteni
could come In touch with each other and
together discuss better methods OF true
child training.
"A sewing school was started for the
girls over seven years. and a night school
for boys and girls who were busy at
work through the day. Glasses in read
ing, writing, arthm et!c,A bookkeeping and
physical culture were attended, and one
night week was given to recreation
and music.
Two years ago the Wroman's Christian
Association gave up this work, owing
to lack of funds but earnest work Of
this kind does not stop In spite OF. strug-
gle and encouragement.
small but earnest, band OF mon and
women formed league known as the
Social and Educational League Of
Richmond, whose aim is to take an active
Interest In all that pertains to the high
physical, mental and spiritual nature;
to ralse tho standard of home life; to
secure earnest cooperation between pa
tent and teacher: and In every way to
promote tho social moral and education-
al welfare Of tho neiglborhood In which
Its members work
Together Is our watchword, work.
ers together with God our motto; help
us by your sympathy, talents or contrl"
buttons TO carry on this work.
sln our schools and social club five
different natlonullties are represented,
seven churches and ten business CEN
ters OF this city. About thrty-fiye chill
dren como to the Kindergarten, fifty
girls are enrolled III the sewing school
and about thirty attend the night clubs
at different times.
f A religious service 10 held once week
at night,
we need manual training depart
lnent and gymnasium for our boys. We
need moro books for our library and
games for the club, We need earnest
men and women to Join our league and
help us in this neighborhood work, We
reed "settlement house. or neighbour
hood house established, which shall be
a home center for all the different kinds
Of work carried on. all Of which shall be
for tho social, moral and educational im-
iprovement of the neighborhoad, We need
a summer playground foF the boys ana
girls next summer.
We are willing to wait and willipS