The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-16
by MRS. &. III. DON<AWAY.
ASSOCIATED { narifiPs.l

\
The headquarters for what is known
as the Associated Charities of Rich
mond is located at l402 East Frank
lin street. The building Is an ideal
one for such an organization. Being
five stories high and containing over
one hundred rooms, 1t affords wide
scope for great development in this
noble work The building was for
merly the old Ballard House, or EN-
change Hotel. at one time the fash
ionable center OF our city. tt was
here that the late king of England
stopped when he visited our country
as the Prince of Wales. What ro-
mantle history to have sheltered kings
and beggars.
The principal organizations among
the Associated Charities are the city
Mission, Ice Mission. Citizens Relief
Society and the Social Service Circle.
The original and most important is
the City Mission. which was found
ed In 1873. This organization d.
vides the city into nineteen districts
and there is a voluntary visitor for
each district. and one general visitor.
1t is the work Of these visitors to
explore. Investigate and report the
conditions and needs in theiy respec-
tive districts, and the general visitor
investigates special cases in all the
districts.
There We're $3.50 visits paid among
the poor last year by the voluntary
visitors and 466 special Investigations
of cases by the general visitor. Re
lief is given. such as groceries fur
nished. rents paid, fuel given. posi-
tions secured, transportation furnish
al fnr sta =,
as milk for tuberculosis cases. gar
ments given, etc This committee
was shown the storeroom and the
groceries were found TO be Of the best
quality.
Besides the relief given to the fam
lies and cases outside there are many
applicants who come to the building
for shelter and food. For this pur-
pose they have a mems and women q
department fitted up with clean beds
and kitchen for each department.
The cooking. cleaning and washing in
each department is done by the in
mates. The outside families who ap-
ply for groceries and are able to
work are required to do some clean
| ing,
A bright idea of the very efficient
general secretary. Or. James Buc-
hanan, is to find out the ability Of the
inmates, and to put them to doing
something. Ia this way wonderful
! results have been accomplished He
1 has found carpenters, painters, plas-
terers, iron-@ orkers and bricklayers
VINO for one cause or another have
lost entire confidence in themselves
/ and feel hopelessly down and out
With these men pr Buchanan has
! remodeled and repaired parts Of the
building by tearing down old parti-
/ tons, building others, closing up win
dows, cutting new ones, building and
equipping gymnasium and swim
ming pool and doing many other
things with only a cost of material
i The men who do this work are
made to think that instead of receiv.
ing aid they are Contributing a great
I deal deal To charity In many cases
! these men have learned to depend or
7 themselves again, and have started
back to work with renewed hope and
confidence. The boys who live in the
streets, whose parents are either
drunkards or drug fends. are invited
+ to enjoy the shower baths. gymnasium
and swimming pooi. and they come In
large numbers. They have a room
! fitted up for their sitting room. where
various games are provided, and some
/ one has donated graphophone
The Ice Mission was founded TWEEN
! ty-two years ago 10y Mrs. +. G. Bagby
+ During the past sutnuer thare we're
! 302.lo0 pounds Of ice distributed to
/ the sick and needy The Citizens Re-
! lief Society assumes the responsibility
/ of the finance of the association The
I work of the Associated Charities is
/ supported entirely by the gifts of the
| charitable persons Of Richmond. To