The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-06
1T IS A GOOD WORK
PrOvident Industrial Classes
Are Strong Feature.
Several Hundred Childre N
Learn to Use Their Hands.
LARGE FORCE OF HELPERS
Prominent Topeka Women Vol
unteer for Teaching Staff.
The Field of Service Under
taken Is a Broad One.

The industrial and social work at
the Topeka Provident association are
important features. The details are
not familiar to the average Topekan.
The ProVident association is some
times accused of spending too much
in salaries in comparison to the actual
value of food, clothing, and other
articles given out to the poor Such
persons do not take into considera-
ton that the main thought in the
Provident work is to eliminate the
conditions that produce poverty.
In case of dire distress the PrOVI-
dent association is quick to lend as
sistance in material manner, but 1t
is the opinion of the officials of the
organization that indiscriminate giving
has the tendency to break down self
respect to such an extent that poverty
eventually becomes a disease: The
association is working towards better
ing conditions among the poor
Industrial Work Feature.
Mrs. Kate E. Pierson is chairman
of the industrial committee of the
PrOVident association committee
that has supervision over a broad field
of work. Nearly $50 girls young and
old and white and colored-are given
valuable training in classes and clubs.
They are taught to cook and sew, are
given gymnasium instruction, and are
trained to do many useful things The
Mothers club, which meets every
other week, has proven popular
among nearly one hundred mothers.
for the women to get together in a
social way but they are given chance
to make aprons and other useful
things for the house.
Club for the Mothers.
The first thing on the programs of
the club meetings are devotionals.
then talk is usually given and pos
sibly some other form of entertain
ment The programs are usually ar
ranged by one of the women's clubs
in the city-they take turns about.
There is a young girl on hand to
take care of the children. She takes
them off to the playroom and enter
tains them while the mothers enjoy
the program.
The mothers sew aprons, sheets and
piece quilts. The materials are sold
to the mothers at cost price-at least
to those who are able to buy them.
Glass of Friendly Visitors.
The friendly visitors class of Volun-
teer charity workers does practical in
vestigating and aims to improve the
condition of the homes.
The day nursery makes it possible
for a score of mothers to work dur
ing the day, knowing that their in
fants are in good hands. The little
tots are taken to the association build
ing early in the morning and called
for by the mother in the evening after
the work has been finished.
Then another valuable department
of the Provident association is the
work among the boys. The Topeka
Boys club has large membership of
youngsters who meet in their room
several evenings a week. There is a
library for them in the building and
they have a great time.
One industrial feature that should
be mentioned is the free use of the
wash rooms to mothers who have no
adequate facilities at their respective
homes for doing the family washing.
Work for Older Girls.
Thirty-five older girls-12 to 5
years of age-are enrolled in a class
that meets Saturday afternoons. In
structions in cooking are given be-
tween l and 2 o'clock, and from to
4 sewing is in order. There are seven
or eight machines at the Provide nt
building. There is sufficient equip
ment for but dozen girls at time
in the cooking department. The asso-
citation provides the food that is pre-
pared. The girls usually have
spread at the close of the cooking
class, but on special occasions they
take home the good Things to eat. At
Thanksgiving time pies were taken
home in order that parents and broth
ers and sisters might sample them