The Twin City star., 1916-05-27
BIG ADVANCE IN
SOCIAL SERVICE
Keen Interest Exhibited In a
New York Center.
STORY OF ITS ACTIVITIES.

Movement to Put Work of Lenox
Community Center on Permanent
Footing-Plan For the Entertainment
Of Summer Visitors a Feature.
New York.-The idea Of q community
center is to strengthen the community
interest and spirit by common meet
ing place or center, where the people
may gather for enjoyment and to con-
slider together ways and means for the
betterment Of the neighbOrhood. The
interest in community welfare and en-
vironment is certainly more manifest
In small towns and cities than it is in
the large urban centers. This feeling
of immediate concern and regard for
what is happening in a neighbOrhood
is the natural result Of its influence on
ones family life. There is desire to
see the community develop and grow
larger where one plans to live per-
manently. In large cities life is in
clined to be individually selfish owing
to the fact that the stress of living
and q disinterest in the things which
do not concern oneself are very char
acteristic Of the city resident.
The frequency with which people
move to and from neighbOrhood Is
another cause for total lack Of in
terest In community welfare. Realiz-
ing this condition, the Peoples instt-
tute mas secured from the board of
education permission to use the varf-
GUS school buildings as club centers In
which to develop the real community
spirit. Lenox community center is
one Of these centers in New York city.
1t is governed by colOred people and is
the first community center In the en-
tire country to be organized by them.
The story Of it's organization and
growtAis Interesting.
After six weeks Of investigation Of
the needs, social and civic, Of the
neighborhoOd known as Harlem, Lenox
community center was established In
July, 1915. A provisional committee
composed Of forty-fve prominent men
and women in the neighborhOOd was
formed to assist the executive secre-
tary sent by the Peoples institute to
inaugurate the center. This provisional
: committee, subdivided into five work
ing committees-fnance, membership,
activities, constitution and nomination
launched the work most Immediately
needed In the community, such as a
play street, a penny lunch for children
two weekly dances, public baths, free
game room and motion pictures.
The committee also proceeded to
work up the permanent organization
for which there would be a paid men,
bership. The present permanent organ
ization, which has been in existence
since January, 1916, is governed by a
council Of twenty-five members, who
follow the custom set by the provi-
sional committee and Immediately upon
their election subdivide themselves into
the five standing committees, so that
each person may know just which part
Of the center's development he or she is
expected to look after.
Lectures, concerts, mothers club,
alumni club Cooking after the boys
who graduate from the school, athletic
association, choral club, monthly re-
| ception to the community, roller skat-
ing, sewing classes for girls, business
classes and IN orchestra and the sup
ply Of rooms for meetings for local
organizations, such as social and civic
clubs, military and athletic organiza-
tions, some Of which have been granted
charters and operate as part Of the
community center with q representa-
tive in the council.
| Some Of the clubs which have
done excellent work are the Negro
militia, boy scouts, Junior American
guards, United Civic league, Harlem
branch Of the National Association Fol
the Advancement Of Colored People
National League on Urban Conditions
Among Negroes, John M. Langston
company, X. Of p; Harriet Tubmar
club, Beaux Arts club, Jamaica club
Junior Park Protective league, Tenn
pie volunteers and Ferguson Memorial
association.
| Realizing that the summer will bring
to New York many hundreds Of young
cOlored men and women who will bt
strangers, the council takes great pleas
ure In announcing extensive plans tc
entertain visitors during their stay In
the city and extend to all hearty In
vitation to make Lenox community
center meeting place for recreationa
and social acquaintance with the loca
people. To students, preachers, teach
ers and persons Of all professions a