The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-23
It Is a Science as Taught by
PrOVident Association.
Art of tFriendIy Calling" on
Poor Folks Is Difficult.
CLASS HAS Been ORGANIZED
1t Beats Bridge Whist for
Something Worth While.
Miss Mary Vose, Secretary, Is
Teaching the New Glass.

1t is not generally known that there
is an institution in Topeka that teaches
the science of social service work.
According to the director: ut gives
something beside bridge and society
something more lasting"
The school of philanthropy is at the
Provident Association, and here in the
friendly visitors class" persons are
taught to do something practical TOT
humanity. 1t is well known fact that
hundreds Of Topekans belong to church
and missionary organizations ana
spend hours attending meetings Wnere
mission topics are discussed, but yet
never do any active personal work
This work under the direction of Miss
Mary r. VoSe, secretary of the asso-
citation, makes it possible for such per.
sons to do intelligent work that is et-
fective.
Miss Vose has had training and ex-
perience in Chicago which makes 1t
possible for her to give instruction
along the most approved lines in phil
anthropic work.
The members of the friendly visitors
class are given field duties to per
form. They make "neighborly'' calls
upon needy families, subsequently tell
ing of their respective experiences in
class. The defects in their methods
of procedure are pointed out, and they
are told how to remedy the weak
points.
The members of the class are in
structed to dress quietly" I'm Chi |
cagO," said Miss Vose, some would be |
social helpers of the 'spasmodic'' kind |
ize the poor people, and then they can't
comprehend why it is that their efforts |
are not more appreciated.
Friendly Call Is a Science.
Information must be CLEANED in an |
Indirect way. The facts that are want |
ed by the social worker must be as
certained without making the persons |
think that their affairs are being pried
into. And it is more or less of a sci
snce to know just course to follow i'll
the perplexing cases that present them
selves. These visits must be simply Oh
1 friendly or neighborly nature.
There are certain questions that the i
members Of the, friendly visitors class
are instructed to ask when they make
their visits. They are asked to get /
al the Information possible concern
ng cases OF truancy, tuberculosis, Il
ldenoids, etc. II
s'The Statement Of Judge Mack. 1ex-
Juvenile court judge of Chicago, is that Il
here is a straight road from adenoids 4
% the penitentiary. The adenoids
produce deafness. The child in school II
s scolded by thcs teacher who does not II
Understand his condition and who be- II
ieves that he is obstinate or stupid. Il
Then the child loses interest in the Il
eacher and his work. He stays away Il
rom school and gets in with toughs.
lie is finally arrested. and then things
70 from bad to worse. That is one
eason that there should be medical
OF schools in Topeka.
1.-THE class members are also asked
o interest the parents and children in
he penny provident fund There are
low 81 different children who are
ringing in the pennies to the Provi-
ent Association for safekeeping, and
We want to increase this numb
These children are small ones for |
he most part and it is a fine thing to
ct them in the custom of saving thei-
money. They usually Ering in from
ne to five cents each.
THE members. of the class can ask
lmost any question if they go about
in the right way, and gain the con-
dence of the persons on whom they
re calling. The only refusaIs to an
wer questions have been on the part
f the foreigners. They are inclined to
e suspicious of the Americans, and !
hey frequently glare at the visitors r
1 the yard or just open the door q Il
rack and then shut it again. II
There is room for many additional H
1embers in the class. We expect to u
o some good practical work in the h
ext few months, and this is a good II
pportunity to help II