The Ypsilanti daily press., 1945-01-30
Fund

Continued from Page One)
was set up 10 correlate the work
OF the various agencies to avoid, as
much as possible, any duplication
OF effort. 1t is also its duty to
survey the community along the
lines OF recreation, family welfare
and youth guidance, and submit
this information to the Community
Fund Board for action. For over
year we have had the excellent
services OF Mrs. Esther Duston as
executive secretary of the Council.
Her years OF training and expert
ence have manifested themselves
in the accomplishments during her
short stay here. The results have
far exceeded our expectations. al
though there are, OF course, many
things yet to be done.
New System
During the past year the Bud
get Committee instituted a new
system OF examining the monthly
reports OF each agency. This sys-
tenn has given us a better control
of expenditures. Errors can be
Immediately corrected or adjust
ments made. It has also provided
us with a complete story OF the
operations OF each agency"
Mr.. Johnson noted that the bud
get has increased year by year
due to increased needs for social
welfare activities such as youth
guidance. general recreation. fam
lily service and health problems, all
intensified because of the impact
of the war on the community.
He reviewed progress made since
construction of the bomber plant.
During this time many projects
were started. among which were
the Carver Recreational Center and
Gilbert Community House" he said.
Many meetings were held regard
ing these projects. Started as an
experiment, and still considered as
such, we feel, that with what they
have accomplished. there is a real
need for such projects in the COM
munity. In determining the value
OF such projects one must take into
consideration the number OF peo-
pie served and the opportunities
offered for wholesome recreation.
We cannot determine these things
until sufficient time has been CIV
en- trained directors to develop
sound programs. We also feel that
a program OF this kind Ia too large
to permit the Community Fund
ever to underwrite the entire cost.
I'VE recommend that the city
employ a full-time recreational d.
rector and that the supervision of
Gilbert House and the new recrea-
tional center in the southern sec
ton OF our city be placed under
the City Recreation Commission.
Under such an arrangement the
Community Fund would continue
its financial support through the.
City Commission"
In conclusion he warned that
I'VE have reached the maximum
amount for a community OF this
size. Although we should not be
pessimistic about the future. we
must face the fact that we may ex-
perience a great deal OF curtail-
ment when this war Is over. This
means that many people will leave
our community to return to their
former homes. Future plans for
increased manufacturing activity
and employment are hard to make.
For this reason each agency should
20 over its operations very careful
ly and be in position to meet
these post war situations should
they arise. Another thing-we,
who are interested in social vel
fare. should guard against the ten
dency to become entangled with
too much administration work and
planning. 1t is very easy to be-
come over-organized, which may
result in our losing sight OF the
real purpose OF our organization
which after all is to meet directly
the social needs and to solve social
problems OF the citizens OF our
community. both individually and
collectively.
Your Community Fund is unique
and for its size is without compari-
son anywhere. A great deal OF
this success is due to our executive
secretary, Paul Ungrodt."
n