Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-28
HELPING THE NEEDY
PLEA FOR d CO. oPERATION~ AND
PERSONAL SERVICE.
Parlor Conference of Charity Workers
at the Residence of Mr.. S.
W. Woodward.

A narlor conference for the Associated
Charities was organized Monday evening
by Miss Helen C. Woodward at the resi-
dence of Mr. S. w. Woodward, 2015 Wyo-
ming avenue northwest Miss Woodward
was recently elected a member of the board
of managers of the association The pur-
pose of the conference, as stated in the
cards of invitation, was Ito enlist not
financial support but intelligent cooperation
and personal service Mr.. Woodward
large library was filled by a representative
gathering of men and women, who listened
with evident interest to the problems OF
distressed families and neglected sections
of Washington as presented by the agents
of the Associated Charities.
The meeting was called to order by Mr..
Charles F. Weller. general secretary, who
briefly reviewed the history of the charity
organization movement, stating that in loO
cities of America an organization ike the
Associated Charities of Washington has
been developed, mainly for the purpose of
bringing more thought and better thought
and more personal service to the solution
of the problems of the needy poor lie
explained how the city of Washington is
divided into eight districts, in each OF
which a carefully selected. trained agent
gives her entire time to visiting. relieving
and upbuilding distressed families.
Miss II. Ida Curry. agent for the south
her section as suggestive of the difficulties
encountered by all of the agents. She ex-
planned especially the danger of unwise
aims given in way 10 prevent people from
learning to labor for themselves when OPP
portunty offers and to save more of their
earnings for their unemployed periods In
winter months. She told of successful
work in reforming drunkards, described the
seventy interior alleys of Southwest Wash
ington, told about the successful work of
collecting small savings among the very
poorest people and emphasized the need of
personal service in improving the ideals,
constructive influences and educational op.
portunities of the children of neglected
families.
Conditions in Georgetown.
The Georgetown division agent. Mrs. Edna
Keene Bushee. was the next speaker. She
emphasized particularly the need for CO.
operation. citing several typical cases in
which needy families have been pauperized
through aims given by FIVE or six different
helpers who did net stop to consult the As
ISOLATED Charities as to the wisdom and the
probable effect of their gifts. Mrs. Bushee
explained how the Associated Charities are
gradually bringing about effective co-opera-
ton SO that aid may he withheld from peo-
ple whom 1t encourage in unnecessary idle
ness while every effort is made at the same
time to develop higiren standards of thrift
and wholesome liyingrt.z
"A.
the association.gmade!a an appeal for volun-
teer helpers. She explained that friendly
visitors are desired. each to work for the
permanent upbuiidng of one needy family
She described the collection of small saw
ings on the stamp saving system, and APP
pealed for helpers who twill give one or two
hours weekly to the collection of these saw
ings in certain streets and alleys or among
groups of twenty or thirty families to whom
the volunteer is1fntreduced by the agent OF
the Associated Charities. The division con-
ference was also explained to be the group
of volunteer workers who met in each of the
eight division offices to help the agent in de-
Gliding the kind and extent of treatment
which is needed In her most difficult cases.
Volunteers were solicited for each Of the
eight division conferences.
Outings and Fairgrounds.
Summer outings and public Fairgrounds
were mentioned as two other lines inSwhicf
unpaid service is solicited People who were
willing to give an hour or two weekly OF
semt-ynonthiy were urged to send their
names and address to the Associated Chari-
ties Office at 8t1 G street northwest or to
any Of the eight division Offices of the asso-
citation.
Mr.. 8. w. Woodward closed the meeting
with an exhortation to all present to report
to the Associated Charities all persons who
,snpIy to them for assistance. and not to
give aid to the writers of begging letters tc
street beggars or to applicants at the office
or house door without first consulting the
Associated Charities. After the meeting "a
number OF people volunteered for personal
service, and two> or three promised to ar
range for similar paflOr conferences in their
own homes during Lent.