New-York tribune., 1907-06-02
FOR HOMELESS BOYS.
What Has Been Done for Them at
Brace Farm School.

The Brace Farm School at valhala. westchester
County which provides homes and home training
for street wanderers and newsboys, orphaned or
deserted boys and the boys who lured to the
city from the country and failed to find work or
home here. has done exceptionally good work dur
ing the last year according to T. V. Kerr, the
sstant superintendent. Mr.. Kerr says that not a
boy who has been inmate of the farm school or
the city lodging houses has been in trouble in the
last year
Mr.. Kerr says that the lodging houses maintained
in the city by the society would be of little help
We're It not for the farm school. AS knowledge of
its work spreads the school has been crowded
til, as Mr.. Kerr says, its plant must be increased
Last year 1,c59 boys went to the farm. y scien-
tifc farmer Of the modern intensive school has
taught the boys farm work One Of the trustees
gave the farm school n modern dairy.
Some OF the boys have shown aptitude for dairy
work and several Of them promise become expert
daIrymen. All that is needed to make this branch
valuable is financial assistance. and the trustees
have made appeal TO the public 10 aid the work.
The farm is crowded that the overflow
OF boys has filed the inilrmary. that should
any contagious disease break out the boys would
be In grave danger. Fortunately not for years has
there been outbreak OF disease at the farm.
Nevertheless, the infrmary IS needed for its pri-
mary use. Mr.. Kerr says. cottage with
independent kitchen. dining and sitting room.
dormitories and lavatories. would give temporary
home to thirty boy waits.
IlbitS are loAIlu III tis IuIhi part OF tic state
and in the West. Last year 7l8 orphans or de-
serted children sent to the country and placed
permanently in chosen homes. The cost Of placing
these us children including the expenses Of agents
and visitors salaries clothing and travelling
pe1ses for the boys. amounted to $4,000 or about
$51 for each boy
Through a gift from n well known in this
city more deserted children placed in homes
last year than ever before. These. together with
the runaway boys returned TO their parents and
a1 v,1ry1oa ont
in distant places amount IN all TO l929 children. The
responsibility for the 1Ss3 younger children placed
in homes in former years is still borne by the Chill
drens Aid Society. It's agents made $50 visits last
year see that the children receiving proper
training and education and to remove apd replace
those doing well. 1t necessary TO take
very few children away from their foster parents.
In nine cases out Of It has been found that
these adopted waits. IN spite OF adverse heredity.
have grown to maturity rs honest and useful
though born in the best environment. The eleven
agents and the superintendent. r. n Brace,
we'll the trustees. make many visits Of inspec-
ton to the Far West well as in this state.
Since the founding Of the Children's Aid Society
in 1853 It has rescued and placed In real homes
2l,9l4 orphans or abandoned children, provided
places good wages in the country for % 995 older
boys and girls. and restored Gas runaway children
to parents.
The i've existing fresh air institutions Of tho
Chidrens Aid Society will be supplemented this
year by boys camp near Stamford. Conn. and
by extra cottage at the summer home. Bath
Beach. for Little Mothers In particular. These
Will make II possible for sixteen hundred more
boys and girls Of the city to enjoy two weeks
vacation during the summer Of 1907.
Last year 22.sGO persons boys and girls mainly
but women also-were benefited by tho socety's
were given day outings at Coney Island. Bath
Beach ana in parks ana country places.
The six fresh air stations Of the Chdren's Aid
Society are in New York city or close by; The
Chdren's Summer Home IS at Bath Beach, and
was visited last year by nearly eight thousand
youngsters The HaXtun Cottage for crippled chill
dren accommodated about two hundred guests dur
ing the There a special cottage. be-
sides for day nursery children"
The Health Homo at Coney Island at Sea Gate
for mothers with ailing babies is one OF the best
summer charities Of the Childrens Aid Society. 1t
furnished day and week long outings last year TO
8 2jS and children. and II plans to do even
more this
In conjunction with the Health Home is the sick
mission organized thirty-siX years ago
to give free medical attendance during the
to sick children Of the tenements-the first charity
Of its kind organized in the city for its specific
purposes.