The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-14


Believing that child placed from
dependence into normal home by
adoption becomes instead of a liability
an asset to the state, the Alabama
Childrcn's Aid society is forwarding
what they believe to be one of the
fost vitality important and productive
works in Alabama.
During the past year the cases of 41o
dependent and neglected children have
been handled by the society. OF these
| cases, the most delicate and far-reach-
ing in effect are those Of the unmarried
mothers and their babies. branch of
the society's work that satisfactorily
handled 80 cases during the year just
over.
The efforts of the society have also
revealed that only second to the need
of the child for a home is the need of
the home for child During the past
year there were $50 homes to apply for
the adoption of children. OF this num-
Der 81 have received the children, "a
are awaiting children, and 299 were
disapproved as homes for children.
Many of these applicants declare that
they received their inspiration to APP
peal to the society for child wit
Messing the complete transformation Of
some child placed nearby through the
society.
NO IRON CLAD RULE
The society places much Importance
on the handling of the cases of the I'M
married mothers and their babies. This
is a phase of their work little known
but of far reaching Importance. These
cases are handled primarily from the
viewpoint of the welfare of the baby,
but in almost every instance the result
is in lettering the status of the mother
The superintendent of the society,
Ralph Barrow, does not believe in any
iron-clad rule for the disposition of
these babies. The general idea is to
try TO develop the mother through her
child While in some cases the work
is unfruitful, in many the mt Their is ex-
ceptional enough to turn about, stand
by her baby, and to evolve from prob
able frivolity into strong womanhood.
OF the 80 mothers cited three have
turned completely about, have their
children with them, and have married
good men other than the fathers of
their children Others have had their
children adopted by their parents and
are being conventionally protected
from public opinion.
Still others leave their children with
the society, for adoption into other
homes, while they better themselves
One particularly touching case was
cited as that of Baby Raymond" who,
with his mother. a mere girl, was
placed with the parents of the girl, and
only after some persuasion of the
young mother, who feared her family.
Everything was going very smoothly
until the brother of the girl began a
kind of persecution and nagging, when
she left her home and baby. The
mother was a kindly soul. SON." she
said, IF you can't be good to sister.
one of you must leave, and had rather
you would so than sister" Through
the efforts of the society the case was
has a letter saying that she Is coming
back
AN UNDESIRABLE HOME
There are other circumstances where
the help of the society is needed. as in
the case of the six brothers and sisters
in the picture above. They are chill
dren rescued from an undesirable
home. where they were neglected and
exposed to moral degradation through
a rough and immoral father. Savan-
ah, Thelma, Steve, Slack and Adolph
reached Birmingham untidy of dress,
hair unkempt and generally uncarsd
for. The society worker who took
charge of them took them to the bar
Der, the doctor and fitted them out in
neat clothing. Then she took them to
one of the homes that the society calls
the other mother homes, where the
children are taken for the first steps
in the culture and training that it is
hoped to fird in permanent home.
The "other mother" home Is care
fully and neatly kept and of an at
mosphere to uplift th9 Guild to an ele-
mont that will be in keeping with bet
ter days to come. and have him from
feeling timid and strange outsider In |
the new culture in the home of adop- |
ton. AS to the disposition of this lit |
tie family the three girls have been
placed in one of the society schools. !
and the boys are boarding at the or
phans home until home can possibly |
be found that will take them without |
separation. There is hope that an |
uncle who has been located will take |
them
NO CRYING FOR THIS MOTHER
While the writer was in the office OF |
the society two of the little ceases" put |
in an actual appearance. They were |
Clyde and Lille from near Admission. The |
superintendent had just shown the letter |
that preceded Clyde and Lilly to Birming- |,
ham. 1t told Of the degradation Of the |
mother, who was described as an "oid |
hag," who was allowing and encouraging |
her daughters slightly older than Lilly |
writer thought that Lilly was in daily |
danger. He had gotten the help OF the |
courts to have her and Clyde hurried to |
1t indeed took great stretch Of the i'm
agination to place the little possessors /
Of the cherubic faces and large, appealing |
blue eyes into such surroundings even in
the minds eye. Clyde was as bright and
quick as a silver dollar, and Lilly was |
Of the modest violet variety.
How old are your" the writer asked I
by way of starting conversation.
Lilly answered. Clyde was only 8, but !
she was Is: or at least her half-brother |
said she was IS, though her mother had
in the Bible that she was 10. She was |
obviously not over 10
did she miss her mother?" was asked. |
There was queer twist of the little |
body before the indescribably sad mot !
much.
GIVEN UP AS DELINQUENT