THE Y.W.C.A. ANNUAL REPORT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 11, 8 October 1917, Page 7

THE Y.W.C.A. ANNUAL REPORT

RECORD OF WORK

The annual report of tho Young Womens Christian Association, just to hand, states "that while the war lasts and the neeal of men from camp is pressing, wie association must continue to let its Boulcott Street building to the Y.11.C.A. for use a Soldiers' Hostel. In order to do this, continues the report, we are compelled to work under the restrictions caused by limited space, as well as to undertake the financial responsibility of additional rented premises in Towlds's Buildings, where we still have our head office, hall, lunch, and club rooms, but we look forward to the day when we may expand into our own building in Boulcott Street. Last year. ,£l6lO was collected towards the purchase of this building. Due consideration was given to the best method to pursue with a. view to augmenting this fund during the current year, and it -was agreed upon a quiet canvass. By adopting the method of individual solicitations it was considered that the expenses of all unnecessary advertising would bo saved and that the educational value as to the aims and operations of the. association would ba greater in the long run, and by this means ire should not interfere with existing patriotic efforts. We aimed at .£IO,OOO, and have secured .£7350. The splendid progress which resulted has been largely due to the single-handed efforts of the general secretary in her tours about the country districts. Wo are deeply indebted to all our contributors both in Wellington and in the other districts for their generosity and practical sympathy." The Board of Directors have continued, to be responsible for the supply of the' voluntary assistance needed in the Y.JI.C.A. Soldiers' Hostel. The association took part in Trench Comforts Day, and handed over to the Y.M.C.A. J5127. The sum of .£23 was raised for the purchaso of wool for some of the members to work into soldiers' comforts, and parcels of Bed Cross material have been made u pand dispatched to the depot. The year closes with a total membership of 920, as against 792 for the previous year. There has been a steady increase, especially in the girls' department (girls under twenty). Bible study has again been a special feature of this department, 130 having been enrolled in. circles during tho year. The first Sunday in each month has been set aside as girls' department Sunday, and the bright inspirational servico has been a help to the members. Activo interest has been taken in 1 the work of secretaries in tho foreign field. The sum of ,£SO has been paid ovet to the national foreign department, including <£25 6s. for the Twenty-four Hour Club, for the support of a secretary in China, and £24 Us. for the Oriental Club in support of a secretary in India. Interest in the work of the foreign department has been constantly stimulated by Mrs. Taylor, 8.A., who has led the mission study circlo; and a missionary representation of "Life in India," arranged' by Miss Williams, aroused furthor interest in the foreign field. Owing to tho constant arrival of girls and young women from other parts of the year has been a busi ono in tho Hostels; yet, in spite of con tinual change tho bome atmosphere ha! been preserved. During tho year 105: girls have passed through the hostels, anc therq have ben in addition 139 girls ii permanent residence. Owing to the in ilux of young women to the city to re place the men who have joined llie ILlxpe ditionary l f orco, it has been fouoid aeces sary for those who havo been in tin hostels for a fair time to seek othei accommodation, in order that provisioi may bo made for the stranger in the city. 'Io this end advertisements for suit ablo board in private homes were insert cd ill the daily newspapers, and a lis! prepared so that the secretary could ad< vise girls where to go ' when the time came to leave the hostel. To bring the hostel in Macdonald Crescent up to present requirements alterations had to bf made, which havo helped in the smootli running of the 'household management. East and Lunch Kooms.—Owing to the Boulcott Street buildiug not yet beinj; available for the Y.W.C.A. purposes, il has been found necessary to rent add! tional rooms in tho present premises. Educational Department—The subjects for tlio past year have been arts ant crafts, signalling, bookkeeping, dressmak ing, millinery, singing, and physical culture; for these the enrolment has beer 266. Classes for homo nursing and firsl aid have been held' regularly under tlx auspices lof the St. John AjmbulaJicc Society. The Lyric Club, under theii able conductor, Mr. l r . S. Pope, have again holpctl in the carol service anc social meetings, and in addition have given concerto to soldiers and sailors Gardening as an occupation for ivomei was brought beforo the City Council and a member of the Y.W.C.A. has beer appointed to the position in one of the municipal reserves. Health Talks.—This subject of health being important in the developBient of womanli 1 d, the leading doctors have come to ou raid, and many useful talks havo been given. Over 300 hae benefited by these lectures; it is realised that they are -an important factor 111 the education of women. . . _ Girls' Department—The chief activitj arranged by the National Y.W.C.A. oi Australasia for girls under twenty is the Hearth Fire movement. The aim is to inculcate the sense of honour, reverence, industry, patriotism, unselfishness; and love of home in its members, \vhc are grouped in circles with ■ their in. dividual guardians. The Pathfinders' Club has done good work under the chief pioneer, Miss Warren. The programme includes physical culture, hockey, singing, and games. The Pollyanna Club formed for the girls in workrooms stands for happiness and home-making. Physical culture and healthy Tecreation are the special features in the life of this group. Other clubs 'arc tli® Frolic Club ond tho MesThere is an enrolment of 253 members in the Girls' Department. • Social. Department.—ln spite of the many counter-attractions, the Saturday night entertainments have drawn a percentage of the members and friends together. The third Saturday in the month, when members invito their soldier friend» and others, is growing in popularity and serves its purpose in promoting social intercourse. Picnics and rambles are also arranged. , Extension Work-Shops, workrooms, and factories liave been visited "regularIt in connection with the Savings Club, which has 175 members. Tho nsitors collect tho savings of the girls at regular intervals and deposit them in the Savings Bank. The total saved durum the year by this means was ±b/«. lectures on First Aid and Home Niirsinß have been given in some ctf the factories, and invitations have been issued_for lecture classes and socials. The Australasian League of Honour for tho maintenance ot true patriotism and womanliness h«sl*™ worked out into the factones, and the members of the League of Honour haie availed themselves of the.■ a S^ IPS J-° mutual helpfulness 'of the Young Women's Christian Association. Thanks aro extended to the honoraiy solicitor, Mr. U.' H. Webb, and to.the honorary auditor, Mr. C. I). Morpeth. to all the doctors of the .. ity who have given valuable instruction on health tonics; to those who .have on tho war and various other subjectn. to the teachers and club leaders for their splendid help, and for all ?e™ gifts from members and friends too nu merous to mention. , At an evidence of the growth and development. of the Wellington Association the following figures show the increase since 1012, the present year " 9*" imr siven in parentheses:— Membership, 3GO (020), girls under 20. 30 (-53), hostel residents. -110 (1100), membership subsoriolionp. JEH2 (.£238), lunch room receipts. J}l27 CC296): Foreign Department, *£14 (.£.>o, for year. .E1027 (,£'1951, not including fiuttdinc fund).