New Britain herald., 1923-12-04
TELLS OF NEED FOR HOMES FOR KIDDIES
Child Welfare Representative Speaks to New Britain People

The meeting held last, evening at
 the rooms of the Chamber of Com
 merce to discuss ways and means of
 finding free homes for the children
 who are in the care of the state bu-
 reau of child welfare proved an in-
 teresting and live one. There were
 ls people present officially represent
 ing IT organizations.
 Miss Helen V. o. Kerr, supervisor
 Of the home finding division of the
 Bureau of Child Welfare at the capi-
 tol, Hartford, told about a few of the
 children who are in the county tenn
 porary homes. The children in these
 homes range in age from four to Is
 years and are both Catholic and Pro-
 testant. In part she said: Some peo-
 pie think that county home children are different from other children; but they are not; they are just like other normal children. They have their good points and they have their bad ones; they are sometimes naughty
 just as other children are and they need much the same patience that other children do. Some people ex- pect child whom they take into their home from an institution to be very grateful and appreciative. This Is mistake for these children are no more appreciative than any other youngster is." She also said that the Bureau of Child Welfare was glad. to find homes for the children in widely different social classes. as the children differ widely in characteristics. tenn neranlent and ability. She touched on the necessity of thoroughly investigat- ing home before placing a child in ii. for the protection both of foster parents and child. Tn closing she mentioned specifically A boy of IS years, who has been in the county home since he was six years old. He is an unusually bright and promising boy who she said, needs to have the affection and encouragement of a family home in order to keep him sufficiently interested in finishing high school"
 Miss Katharine B. Beach, a field agent of the Bureau of Child Welfare, explained the purpose Of this meeting We wish" she said, "a group of peo- rle in New Britain better informed than the general public as to the work of the State Bureau of Child Welfare A group who will take back to the various organizations and clubs to which they belong the great need of several hundred children now in coun- ty temporary institutions for homes of their own" The opinion of tho group was asked as to the effectiveness of the methods used in New Britain for finding free homes. Several excellent suggestions for new methods for find ing homes in other cities were givon. It was agreed that it would be advan- tageous for Miss Beach to keep office al the Visiting Nurse association. b2 Center street. every Monday afternoon between 2:3o and 5 o'clock.
 Among those present were Mrs. W. W. Marshal, representing the Baptist church and the Sunshine society: Mrs. D. l. McGuire. representing the Cath oiic Daughters of America; Miss Agnes Fox, representing this organization and also the Catholic social service bureau; Miss Anna McGill, represent ing the Catholic social service bureau: Reverend John l.. Sullivan, represent ing the Knights Of Columbus: Mrs. | John Mnlvihill and Mrs. Margaret 1Iallinan, representing tho Lady For esters Of America: Miss Mary F.. Cur. tin. representing the Business and | Professional womcn's club. Mrs. c. 1 r. Mervin and Mrs. F. W. Schultz l the south Congregation al church: Miss Onea Romejko and l Miss wsneska representing the Cath olic women's club: F. NJ. Pratt, repre- i senting the Industrial Council Of New | F.. A. Connolly of the Odd | Fellows: Miss Eva Giza,, representing | the Sacred Heart church: Mrs. How ard Parsons. and Mrs. Frederick Platt, | the womsn's Club. and | one man representing the Elks.