The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1921-01-27
HOW TO LIVE
IS TAUGHT BY
BUREAU HERE
Indiscriminate Passing Out Of
Material Relief is Not Object
of Social Service in Work
in Richmond.
CAUSES ARE SOUGHT

OHOO6O HnE OOOOHI
Indiscriminate passing out of mater
ial relief is not the object of the Social
Service Bureau, but rather the teach
ing Of people how to live. said Miss
! Ethel Clark, general secretary of the
bureau.
Behind every i'll there Is a cause, to
find this cause, and remedy it, SO as to
he of the greatest benefit to the indi-
vidual and to the public welfare, is
big task.
The Social Service workers want de-
pendent persons to do for themselves
as much as possible Constructive
work is much better than a patroniz-
ing attitude. which tends to pauperize,
social workers state.
Reason for Poverty.
People do not happen" to be poor,
records at the local Office show. Re
hind virtually every case investigated
by workers there is some reason for
need for aid. In sickness, accidents
and unpreventaDle circumstances, the
bureau gives immediate relief, and
: looks after the case until the individ-
uals become self-sustaining. In a great
illicit relations, and neglect are the
contributory cause. The work of the
bureau is to remove these either by
moral suasior or resort to law.
Many people have the idea that help
should be given and no questions
asked, Miss Clark said This develops
tendency to shiftlessneSs on the part
of those responsible, it was pointed
out. 1t is not hard task to give a
iran something of material service
that will relieve his immediate dis
tress. but to give him something that
will have wholesome and permanent
effect, which, in turn, will benefit the
entire community, is no easy task, the
leaders say.
Visits 1.o4s Families.
Since last September the local bu-
reau has visited total of 1,049 differ
ent families. Many of these have been
visited several times. OF this POS were
for investigation. relief and advice
which come in the routine each day.
School attendance calls were made at
go homes, which had to do with III
children, total OF 1921 visits were
mad de-. s~r---=s-ss .-'7--. $780, - ----
Red Cross service to ex-service men
! has been administered to 161 homes.
Visiting nurses working every day
have called at SO homes. Follow-up
| cases, in connection with the venereal
clinic numbered 1S: this did not in
clude the attendance at the clinic
| twice week.
Milk lunches to school children are
being given in about Sc families. Many
! of these are being paid for by the fam
| lilies. Seventy children are receiving
this food. The Savings department is
only being conducted with 20 homes,
this being due to activities of other
| institutions
Investigates Cases.
The bureau investigates all applica-
tions for relief made to the trustee of
Wayne township. the Richmond board
/ of school trustees, and other social in
vestigations. The family welfare COM
mittee cares for families in distress
and formulates plans for the welfare
Of each member of the family.
| An auxiliary composed of twelve
| colored women cares for dependent
colored families.
Red Cross service is rendered The
provident work endeavors to inculcate
& habit of thrift among the people of
thriftless tendencies Legal aid is
available through we'll known attor-
neys who have offered to donate their
services.
! Two Health Nurses.
| Two public health nurses are en-
ployed all the time making visits to
homes and caring for the health of
school children.
A child welfare committee has the
purpose of attending to the physical
needs of the child in health and like
cases and also social. such as recrea
tion and training,
| Preventative work against tuborcu-
! losis is carried on by a committed
Milk lunches TO under nourishes chill
dren are served. School attendance
work is under the bureaus supervis-
ion. Christmas exchange for dis
! tributing baskets of cheer is conduct
ed.
Donate Coverings.
! The venereal clinic has now been
turned over to the bureau. Dr. S. +.
Smith is medical director
! A long chest for coverings, sheets
and bedding of all kinds is kept in
readiness by the bureau. Most of
cases of sickness, in most instances.
Affiliated organizations with the So
cial Service bureau are the Penny
club, kiwanis club. Ministerial asso-
citation, Union Mission. Woman's club,
Rotary club, Wayne County Medical
association, Richmond Day Nursery
association, Wayne County Chapter
American Red Cross, Richmond Teach
ers' federation.