The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-25

PNt Acu VA dboitSOtlltt ildS received the attention that it deserves. Youth has not had the care and protection ii needed at that period. But more and more is scientific research teaching us vital truths which throw the light of intelligent study upon this period SC vital to the future welfare of the in- dividual
 The Boys club has had many splendid women at it's head as president and they
 have each and all done their part in it's upDullding, but none more effectively than the present incumbent, Mrs Victor Prow- ell.
 Mrs Prowell is deeply interested in the welfare of the Boys club and she ha given generously of her time and energy toward it's betterment anl upbuilding and the past year tremendous strides ave been made under her direction 9st satisfactory results have been -5.-,-5e--..
 With the cooperation of 1. ,,pt ,,a, Blackburn, whose whole life and ie gwen to the work of the Boys cluo and whose fine influence has been felt in this community as that of few other young men, Mrs. Prowell has seen her way clear to add many new activities to the club, not the least of which is the organization of different chapters during the past year.
 Already we have two chapters" Mrs. Prowell said in speaking of the work a lew days ago, and these are desgnel to look after the branch clubs in Birming- ham and the suburbs. We have in con- temptation a Boys club at Vivian and within a short time we hope to have it working on a good, substantial basis"
 How many boys do you reach through the club?' l asked
 Between 300 and 500 boys are registered every month at the club,' said Mrs. Prov ell, and there they read, play basketball and have all sorts of wholesome, nice pleasures and as much of home life as we can infuse into the surroundings.
 Do they seem appreciative of what is done for them?" l inquired.
 "The fact that they go to the club in such large numbers and enjoy being there is the greatest proof of their ap- preciation,' Mrs. Prowell said proudly. "The Boys club is bulwark of strength to this city and never before has it's nec- essity been more keeny recognized than now. Parents out of employment, boys sent out to look for work often falling into unhappy and unwholesome surround ings, the hard times. as we express it, driving them to all sorts of unheard of things Yes, they need good influence and protection now more than ever before and it is the object of the Boys club to fill this want in the best possible manner. The income from Tag day is what we are upon to take us through fnan- cially for the next year, and when our citizens stop to realize how we need the money I feel sure that they will tnis year, as they always have before, give gener ously of their substance.
 Tn MT. Blackburn's report for the year." said Mrs. Prowell. he has been most happy, citing how the club has ac- complished almost everything it set out to do. Quoting from his report the fol- lowing is of interest:
 At the outset we set for ourselves nine objectives for the years work. l am glad to report that all have been real ized with only two slight exceptions. These objectives were as follows:
 '1. To keep in touch with the boy sit uatior in Birmingham, and through per sonal friendship to encourage the work ing boys as much as possible. Through our efforts Boy Workers council was organized, composed of the principal boy workers of the city. This is an organiza- tion independent of our club, but one which through the cooperation and in spiration and fellowship which it affords is a real power in it's influence upon our boy life.
 '.2. To cooperate to the fullest ex- tent with volunteer boy workers wher- ever found" We have been in consulta- tion with scores of men who were deal ing with groups of boys in various parts of the city; have helped them plan and carry out socials. hikes and activities of various kinds, and have tried to make our office the headquarters of those in- terested in boys of all types
 ''3 To hitch up 100 big brothers to boys needing friendship and encouragement While the number has only reached a total of 40, due to the difficulty attendant upon getting the right man and the right boy together, it has been a pleasure to see the spirit with which especially young men have entered into sympathy with their little brothers.
 A. To assist in the conduct of an in. vestiga ton of child labor conditions and to cooperate with the child labor com mittee.
 "5. Tc serve the various organizations dealing with boy life. and the public schools through an active interest in their D, oblems from the angle of the needy and working boys.
 ''6 Fol the unemployed: To conduct an employment bureau. to furnish a tempo rary home to homeless boys, find them work, supply them with clothing and locate them in good homes: to supply ana books to other needy boys
 '7. For the Boy Scouts: To furnish an assistant to the scout commissioner on full time; to furnish complete camp eouil Tent and assistance at the summer camp; to organize new troops and assist in general scout work. The scout camp, with it's 13O bows was in every way a