The Washington times., 1914-05-07

BY MRS. WALTER S. UFF0RD.
The work of the Associated Chari-
ties is one of personal service to
those in need Of advice, direction,
employment, legal aid, institutional
care, medical assistance. or material
relief. Last year $3.50 families were
ministered to by this organization:
In this multitude were all sorts and
conditions of folks in all kinds OF
trouble-widows, aged couples, the
Handicapped. mentally and physical
ly; little children. sick babies,
women in search Of deserttng hus-
bands. the homeless. and many out
Of work.
There was no panacea for these
Ills; each was a distinct problem In
itself. which had to be carefully
studied. They needed advisers,
trained to treat social Ills. and with
a complete knowledge Of the com
munity resources. as much as the
i'll in body need trained medical
care; and this the Associated Chari-
ties has to offer In its eight trained
district workers.
The Associated Charities Is much
more than a relief-giving society.
Where relief Is necessary. It be-
lieves In relief and adequate relief
not the old-fashioned intermittent.
pouring water through a sieve and
usually resulted in pauperizing the
family. but adequate relief as part
Of a plan to rehabilitate the family
and place 1t beyond the need Of re-
lief.
How Plan Works Out.
For instance. a few years ago a
well-dressed man came to one OF the
doctor, saying he must rest for six
months If he expected to live more
than a year. The man had a wife
and two children, was earning so
a month. What was to be done?
The worker took the long view OF
the problem. She saw the widow and
helpless children, the disintegrated
home. probable institutional care for
the children, and then a handicapped
man and woman in the next genera
ton; and she determined at all costs
that the man must be cured. and the
home held together.
Plans were made for his care and
treatment. Money was raised for
the necessary expenses. The result
was that the man recovered his
family for a number CT years. Is
now a contributor to the society.
and. besides helping financially, has
given employment to number of
men. This cost approximately $500
over and above the time Of the
worker. Is IL worth while from an
economic point of view to pay
workers who can do this sort Of
thing?
Plans like these can only be
worked out successfully when they
or investigation. This investiga-
ton is one Of the things about the
Associated Charities most often
misunderstood. What does It mean?
It means sympathetic listener.
trying to get all the facts possible
from the individual in order to find
out when the family was at its best
and what untoward circumstance,
misstep. or social condition led to
the present trouble. After the
patient has told his story. the work.
who know him best-parents,
brothers. sisters. pastor. physician.
to find out II he is
telling the truth-our people U.s.
ually do tell the truth-but to get
their points OF view, suggestions.
and cooperation.
Immediate Needs Relieved.
But while you are doing all this.
the family Is starving and freezing,
some will say. Absolutely not. I'm
needs are relieved at once.
Whether the plan formed after the
careful diagnosis is a regular weekly
pension for a widow, court action
against a delinquent husband. the
of clothing so that a
hid may be kept in school, etc,
not feel 1t has done its best work
until IL has found a volunteer who
will become a permanent friend to
the family-one, who. keeping touch