The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-08-21
OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES

to several organizations, and in some
cases such persons were receiving re-
lief at the same time from many So
cieties
The aim Of this Bureau will be to
centralize and to coordinate all the
Catholic charitable activities in the
city. A complete record will be kept
in the Central Office with regard to all
cases handled. This office is located
at 2O5 Wilder Charity Building, and
is in charge Of a competent secretary.
The Bureau as organized will com
prise the following departments:
Child Placing Department., Relief
Department, Child Caring Department,
Social Service Department, Juvenile
Court Department.
Child Caring.
1t has frequently happened that
children to be cared for have been
turned over to various Catholic agen-
cies either by institutions or relatives
or by the juvenile court. At times
these agencies have been handicapped
by being unable to care for all these
children. The orphan asylums, and
the Infant Home usually are filled to
capacity. Thus there were many chill
dren for whom provision could not be
made.
Under this Central Bureau, through
the publicity given the work, it is
hoped to get in touch with many fam
lilies able and willing to share their
homes with these unfortunate children.
Some of these children may be board
ed out for time until readjustment
has been made in their own homes;
others, it is hoped, WNl be taken free
OF charge by persons wishing to adOpt
them; others again of more mature
age may work in private homes for
their board. In placing children in
private homes the laws of the state
NM be carefully obeyed.
Relief Department.
1t has been found by experience that
many homes from which needy chill
dren are taken are in dire straits. I'M
mediate relief of one kind or another
is absolutely imperative. 1t may be
that sickness has stricken down one
or both parents, or that poverty has
taken possession of the home.
Through the Relief Department of the
Bureau it will be possible to furnish
immediate and adequate relief in
these cases.
Social Service Department.
It is the experience of all agencies
dealing with families appealing for re-
lief that some of these families seek
assistance under false pretenses. Re-
lying on the number of welfare organ
izations and on the kindness of social
workers such families not infre-
quently request relief either where it
is not needed or to a far greater ex-
tent than is required. In order to OBJ
viate this the Bureau will employ a
case worker who will be in position to
make investigation of such homes and
to report with fidelity on the actual
state of affairs. This department will
establish and maintain clubs for boys
and girls where these young people
will be given opportunities for recre-
| alton and personal improvement.
Juvenile Court Department.
The Central Bureau will also have
an official representative in the Juve-
nile Court. 1t will be the duty of this
representative to report on and to
|
mitted to the Bureau by the court. 1t
will be necessary moreover for the
Juvenile court worker to keep in con-
stant touch with these children, even
after placing them in private homes,
and to report to the court on the con-
dition and progress of such children.