The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-11-22
NATIONAL CATHOLIC WELFARE
Re COUNCIL WILL ERECT cOMMUN-
fTY CENTERS FOR WOMEN
WORKERS IN ALL LARGE CIT
IES-AskS FOR COOPERATION
OF WoMEN's ORGANIZATIONS
TO CARRY OUT PLAN.

| ~ SNnnt w FEAN.
In the work of reconstruction under.
| taken by the National Catholic Wei
fare Council, there is no phase of it
| more essential or appealing than that
which deals with Girls Welfare -
and extends a helping hand to the
great army of women workers who
did their part-a truly essential one
towards winning the war
Although nearly twelve months have
elapsed since the signing of the arm
istice, the lives of tens and hundreds
OF thousands of women and girls of
our country are still affected by the
war, for they are still employed far
from their homes, to which, in most in
stances, they will never return.
This condition presents one of the
most serious problems of reconstruc-
ton, and situation which the Coun-
Gil is endeavoring to meet by estab-
fishing its community houses through
out the country. These houses are
being given a common name, Nation
al Catholic Community House," so
that a girl coming to a strange city
can at once find the location of the
catholic center, as it appears i'll the
directories and telephone books of the
country. These centers will form
links OF a national chain extending
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from
Canada to the Mexican border.
Community Houses.
Here, in the Community Houses.
will be found attractive rooms, whole
some food, parlors where girls may
receive guests, library and writing
room, with reading material and
table games, such as cards and check
ers; sewing room, with sewing ma
chine; laundry, where girls may do
their own washing and ironing if they
so desire; gymnasium and swimming
pool, if possible; pleasant surround
ings, attractive furnishings, comfort
able chairs, artistic hangings, reading
lamps, flower boxes
1t is expected that the girls will
have representation in the manage
ment of the house. Apart from ex-
ceptional cases, they are expected to
pay sufficient for board and lodging
to cover running expenses as well as
interest on investment The plan is
cooperative and not philanthropic.
The Community House is advised,
through its staff, to tie up very closely
with the local Travellers Aid Society,
in order to reach the incoming girl.
This splendid organization has it's
agents in all large cities and it's repre-
sentatives in nearly all small COM
munities. In addition to this, there
should be a large sign or p1acard dis
played in a prominent place in the
railroad station, directing the incom-
ing girl to the Community House.
Small cards should be printed and a
supply of them left with the Travellers
Aid agent, with the information bu-
reau of the station, with the station
master, with the station police and
with the station matron.
1t is pointed out that every city
should have at least one Catholic GEN.
ter for the temporary housing of girls,
where girls and women away from
home may go for a limited time, with
the definite understanding that they
should leave within, say, two weeks
time.
Should Be Located Downtown.
+ Such houses should, of course, be
in the downtown section and if pos
sible near the railroad station. Safe
shelter having been given, it must
have the machinery for placing the
girl or woman in permanent lodgings.
Attention is called by the Council to
| the 'Self-Supporting Boarding House, y
and states that in any given commu-
nifty, with a little searching, few To-
cal women of good character, execu-
tive ability, and knowledge of house
hold affairs can be interested in open
ing rooming and boarding houses for
girls as a business proposition. Local