Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-05-14
Social Service League.

The Social Service League helped 1873
families during the past year. whose trou-
bles were not Of a financial nature
families where the normal state Of things
was twisted. and where a professional
'straightener" was needed to restore it.
The story Of Willie Jones illustrates a
situation found in some Of these homes.
Willie Jones-which wasn't his name
usually came late to school in the morning.
He was always ragged and dirty. He was
mixed up in street fights on the way to
school. and after he was there he was an
endless source Of trouble. ALI this meant
more than just the pep" Of youth. Willie
at tender age was bad actor, and he
was the making Of bad citizen.
When the Social Service League was
called in to straiehten out Willie. it found
the following situation in the boys home !;
l. The mother worked away from home
She left at six in the morning. leaving the
boy and young sister to get themselves
Oh to school as best they could. usually
withca; breakfast and slipshod in dress
2. The father had not worked for some
months because Of illness. The Social
Service League obtained a physical ex-
animation which showed that he was
physically cured. He had been i'll for so
long that he believed himself TO be a
helpless invalid. and that it was impossi-
BILE even for him to help the children dress.
The Social Service League had real
job on its hands. First. 1t was necessary
to induce the mother to give up her out
side work. She liked the social contacts
her job brought her as opposed to the lone
illness Of house work, and, in her expert
ence, children needed no such care as the
Social Service League insisted on for hers.
Then the father had to be convinced
that his ills were largely imaginary. and
that he was able to work. Several jobs had
70 be found for him before he found the
habit Of working again and sticking to work.
On top Of this. it was no easy matter to
correct the tendencies toward delinquency
which Willie and his sister were develop
ing through past neglect at home. But in
time, the boy no longer came late in school.
and no longer engaged in fights on the way.
He and his sister are both enrolled in Sum-
day School and bo.h appear there every
Sunday.
After months Of persistent effort in which
not only the Social Service League, but
the school attendance officer and others
interested co-operated. the father is at
work and the family is self-supportine.
The mother is home. giving her full time
to the children. There is still room fol
Improvement, but there is a vast change
for the better over the situation six months
ago. Willie Jones will have chance &c
make good in the community instead Of
becoming drag on il.
II was not the expenditure Of money fol
food or gifts Of clothing which brought
about these permanent results and def
nitely improved conditions in this home
Instead. il was service. based on an IN
Outstanding Of the family problem. anC
an intelligent plan. consistently followed
In spite Of obstacles.
There are other homes which need to b,
made safe for children. During the com
ing drive. from May 23rd to June 5th. 20,
will be given an opportunity to make TIL
Social Service League your agent to do it,