Y.W.C.A. REPORT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 15, 13 October 1919, Page 3

Y.W.C.A. REPORT

AN EPOCH-MAKING YEAE. "This has indeed been an epoch-mak-ing year in the history of the association." states tho annual report of the Young Women's Christian Association. "The pressing necessity for expansion and the consequent widespread appeal for funds inaugurated by a citizens' committee of business men, have been the means of bringing in a realistic way before tho public the need for such work as ours, and bv their generous response we have been enabled to substantially increase both our hostel and club life among' those girl citizens whom wo aim to help. The finance campaign resulted in raising .£fi!M2 in casli and, promises." For the success of tho campaign thanks are expressed • to the various ladies and Kontlemen mostly concerned in the work, including Messrs. H. D. Bennett (organ--iferK E-. H. Webb (hon. solicitor), C. D. Morpeth (lion, auditor), and J. C. Port; the clergymen for their addresses; the medical men for their health talks; and the legion of voluntary workers who had given service, time, and money. , Keforenee is made in the report to the new premises of the association in Boulcott Street, adapted to special administrative and club purposes, to tho assembly hall and cafeteria- in Fowlds's Buildings, and the hostels in M'Donald Crescent a'nd Brougham Street. There has been a substantial increaso in membership, which is now only five short of 1200, drqwn from all ranks of girls and diverse occupations, who have found a common interest in. tho association, and opportunities for self-advance-mcnt. The membership roll is made up as follows:—Girls' department (under 201, 371; regular and senior (over 20), 578; ■ married women and sustaining, 240.. Total. 1195. The report l ? of the vtvrious committees show an extensive field of activity, ranging from religious work, through all manner of schemes for the welfare. of members. The foreign department is carying on work i() the Far East (India. China, and Japan), but owing to the influenza epidemic, which has also affected other SDheres of social improvement, the full. j;oal has not yet been reached. ; The membership of the Savings Club is 290. Twenty-six city workrooms are visited weekly, and many hundreds of girls are brought into contact with .friendly visitors by this means. Tho total amount deposited by us for the girls in the Post Office Savings Bank during the year was ,{598, ana' by this means many girls have learned to spend less, than their income, and to have something- over for others. The educational work of'the association . covors a wide field, . with weekly classes and public lectures. Classes for senior members are.in-millinery, dressmaking, homo nursing (under the auspiocs of the St. John Ambulance Society). and literaturo. The total enrolment has been 247. ' In addition to the work tor seniors, there are classes and ; literary circles for girls under twenty, the subjects of which are physical culture; literature, singing, signalling, folkI dancing, club swinging, and Bible study. At.these classes there, is at present an average weekly attendance of 98. ■ _ With the provision of hostels, anty dining and luncheon rooms, and the special attention paid to the social side of life, with-circles and clubs, a boon'to the girl under twenty especially, the association has continued throughout' the year to do.an immense service for the so.t which is now taking its place in the world of responsible citizenship.