The Washington herald., 1911-11-28
WORK FOR UpLIFT.
In "BLOODFIELD"
Social Settlement Appeals to
the Philanthropic. .
SOME OF PHASES OF REFORM
Trained Workers LaborinE to I'm
prove Conditions Among the
CoIored BSDuIation In south
WaAhington-Moth Club and
Sewing Glass Among Features.

| For several years a small band OF
workers has been carrying on a philan-
thropic movement among the colored
population in the southwestern portion
OF the city and out Of this has grown
the colored social settlement work. John
r. Francis is the president Beginning
In a two-story house in NJ street, be-
tween First and Second, 1t soon became
necessary to enlarge their quarters.
They finally moved to their large new
/ building at First and L streets south
west, where all the departments OF the
| work are now being carried on under the
| supervision OF a corps OF trained work.
ers. all Of whom. except the two resi-
dent matrons. give their services free.
Needs of "BIeodheId."
One needs but to pass through that
portion Of South Washington generally
called 'Bloodfield" to get a comprehen-
sive idea Of the necessity for every
phase of modern social settlement work
| among the colored population.
Among the organized departments Of
the settlement work Is the cooking
school The girls are taught to be neat
and tidy in their work, to be economical
in the use OF material, and careful with
implements. They are taught how to
prepare wholesome and palatable dishes
from low-priced material, and to make
the most appetizing preparation of cheap
cuts of meat This class has reached
forty in number.
Another department is the sewing class.
Girls are taught to cut and make their
own clothing; how to use small amounts
Of money to the best possible advantage
in purchasing cheap but substantial and
attractive goods for their clothes.
A Mothera' Club
There is also in operation a Mothers
Club, many Of the members of which
are obliged to be away from home all
day in domestic service and with little
or no chance to learn how to rear their
children. This club of more than thirty
members, receives from competent in
structors lessons in home-making and
housekeeping, and, besides, they are
taught to cultivate the art and spirit OF
friendly neighborliness. Out of this
Mothers Club has grown a literary club
among the young people.
A day nursery also has been estab-
lished, and here the poor mother brings
her infant on her way to work, leaving
1t to the daily care OF the settlement
until she returns for ii at night. The
infants are bathed. fed. and looked after
by nurse and a physician when neces-
sary. For this particular department a
dally supply or pasteurized milk is given
through the philanthropy OF George NJ
Oyster. Mr.. Oyster not only gives the
milk free, but also the pals to carry IL |
in. and furnishes the scales with which |
the infants are weighed, so that note |
may be made Of their daily improve |
ment under his milk treatment"
A Boys Club.
A boys club Is also a part OF the !
work, and gives the boys of the neigh |
borhOod an opportunity to choose be- |
tween idling the evening hours away in |
poolroom or In the streets in possible |
mischief or spending them in amuse- |
ments. athletics, and 1ther entertain |
ment at the settlement. From 100 to 800 |
boys take advantage Of the clubs offer, |
and thus avoid many a pitfall which the |
street holds open for them.
The settlement would be glad" said !
member last night. IF some friend OF |
such work would offer a pool table or |
billiard table for the Boys Club, so |
that this might serve as an additional |
attraction, and thus counteract the at |
traction Of the poolrooms which the |
street has to offer." He continued:
The Social Settlement is hampered |
gage on the new building now occupied. |
This amount 1t is hoped to raise through |
a charity reception at Convention Hall |
December 5, hut the workers need more |
than this for the proper maintenance !
and support of the work, and they con-
fdently appeal to the charitable public" |