Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-11-14
ASSOCIATED AIDS
NEED MONEY
Secretary Yates Tells of Many
and Varied Services Rem
dered Poor and Needy

Funds are urgently needed to con-
tinue the splendid work that has been
conducted by the Associated Aid So
cieties and just how necessary is the
appeal for financial aid is explained
to-day in an interview in the Tele-
graph by John Yates, the general sec
| retary.
In discussing these needs Secretary
Yates goes into detail with facts and
ngures of the wide scope of work that
has been undertaken and of why more
money is needed to keep the ball roll
| ing.
1T is no easy task" said Secretary
Yates, ito place money value on the
many and varied services which the
workers of the Associated Aid Societies
render to families in distress Every
Kind of adversely in which n family
finds itself can be brought to the or
ganizetion and time and labor will not
be spared that the family may be
helped.
THE report of the secretary to the
board of managers, which met Friday,
shows how great a variety of prob
lens must be solved. More than 100
families will be under the care of the
workers during November. Besides
these the report showed that 73 fami-
lies and individuals had been helped
10 independence and their problems
finally solved during the past month.
Twenty-Five of these families received
material relief in food coal. clothing
and medicine. Sickness, unemploy-
ment because of drink. old age, large
families and consequent insufficient in
come, widowhood and the high cost of
living were some of the causes why
relief was found necessary, and along
with this relief went sympathy and
interest that helped to self support.
In nine families tuberculosis was the
cause OF the family breakdown and
the stricken members of the family
were either sent to q sanatorium for
treatment and cure or supplies and
help toward proper treatment in the
home was secured. In nine families
relatives and friends of the families
were sought out and gladly gave of
their means to relieve all present ne
Cessity. Five families ignorant as. to
the way to secure medical treatment
when their money was gone found
that way through the Associated Aid
Societies, and at the same time had
the, assurance of supply for all needs
as long as necessary. Sometimes it is
not so much material help that is
needed as sympathy and advice. for in
eleven familiey, each presenting n diff
ferent problem, this service gave en-
coura cement and established self
reliance. In one of these esnecially
was the service of very high value to
ne community. for the husband and
wife had separated and the children
were about TO be scattered, but the
keen insight of the worker with SYM
pathy and intelligent interest re-
established the home and gave the
family as an asset to the community.
This work is not selfish and help
often goes to other communities.
Eight societies in other cities asked
that relatives or friends might be
found and help distressed families un-
der their care and in every instance
these relatives and friends when found
were ready to do their part.
The most unsatisfactory work that
has TO be done from the Associated
Aid Societies viewpoint is the treat
ment of homeless individuals. They
have no friends, and, broken in spirit
and health. have lost all incentive to
Independence. Ten homeless persons
called at the offices of the association
during the month; four were sick and
received medical care. Two who had
tuberculosis were sent to sana-
iorium for treatment. Transportation
TO his home was furnished for one.
employment was found for another.
and man and his wife were en-
couraged by employment secured and
home esta blished.
The association is planning to add
visiting housekeeper TO the force of
workers-Miss Lila Neidig. of Mechan-
icshurg. who will teach families how
to buy, cook and keep house. This
service ought to prove of great value.
especially in view of the increased
cost of living. Miss Rachel Staples
was appointed assistant secretary.
AT this time of year the funds of
the society are about exhausted and
campaign will be undertaken to secure
the necessary money for the winter
work.