COMMUNITY SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 148, 18 March 1939, Page 7

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Valuable Work Of Y.W.C.A. 11l Wellington 0 STREET DAY APPEAL It must be apparent to thinking men and women that no community servicecan continue without community support, and it is therefore unfortunate that so many people should know so little of the work done by voluntary organizations. The Wellington Y.W.C.A., which is asking for the support of the public on Wednesday, when a street day will be held, is taken for granted by a great many people who are quite unaware of the valuable and unobtrusive service which it does in the city.

As a girls’ community centre, the Y.W.C.A. gives to thousands of Wellington girls recreational activity of the finest type. Miss Helen Macdonald, a graduate in physical education from Magill University, Canada, is in charge of the gymnasium, where the most modern systems of physical culture are taught, and training is given in sports. Handcrafts, singing, play-reading and drama, languages classes, dressmaking, study circles and discussion groups are among the many other activities offered to girls for their leisure time. The fees for these clubs are kept as low as possible, so that they are within the reach of every girl in the community. Furthermore, the Y.W.C.A. is a Christian organization, and underlying its work and the influence which it has on girls are its basic ideals of practical Christianity, and the development of character to keep pace with' the development of mind and body.

The opportunities which it offers as a women’s movement are equally as varied. Day-time badminton and physical culture bring these within the reach of women who have homes to look after, and afternoon circles give them an opportunity for crafts, playreading, and' lectures and discussions on many important aspects of home and family life. The Business and Professional Women’s Round Table Club is a Y.W.C.A. group, and is, without a doubt, the most advanced, thoughtful and progressive women’s group in Wellington. Their study of contemporary economic questions from a women’s viewpoint is typical of the community’s greatest gain from the .emancipation of women. I,t was this group which sponsored the sex and life lectures held some time since, a fearless and outstandingly successful experiment, which revealed the community’s need for such a body of honest and impartial thinkers. There is also another aspect to the Y.W.C.A.’s service. A recent housing survey made by the city council emphasized Wellington’s acute housing shortage, and obviously under such conditions those most adversely affected are those seeking accommodation and the group, of which girls in their ’teens form a major part, whose wages make low boarding rates essential. These girls tend to live in poor rooms where, in addition to lonelZess and lack of moral safeguards, many of them are undermining their efficiency as workers and future mothers with Insufficient good food. The Y.W.C.A. has a hostel for residents in Brougham Street, and a transient hostel in Boulcott street, and though it cannot possibly accommodate everyone who comes, it is doing an outstanding community service with the space at its disposal. Preference is given to girls in their ’teens and last year 120 girls stayed in the permanent residence and 3021 were accommodated in the old wooden building in Boulcott Street. At the cafeteria excellent meals, based on modern doctrines of diet and cooking, are served at most reasonable rates. Last year more than 13,000 meals were prepared, and ip addition the tables are used by girls bringing their own lunches. The lounge and club rooms are also open to all women and girls, and are a priceless boon for many people, particularly after 5.30 p.m., when this is the only lounge open in the city. Other Y.W.C.A. services inelude a mail and parcel bureau, use of the iron, the bath and the sewing machine —privileges which women living in one room are inestimably grateful for. Last year 21,000 people were helped in these small ways and that figure does not include the hundreds more who have been given practical assistance and advice.

The travellers’ aid is another valuable service. The secretary, Miss Beaumont, meets almost .every train and ship which conies into Wellington. Children, elderly travellers and invalids are her particular care, but manv others who have missed connexions,* mislaid luggage, or reserved no accommodation have found the travellers’ aid a friend in need. The Y.W.C.A. is an international organization and in 55 countries it is adapting its services to the needs of ■the particular community. There can be no doubt of the wonderful work which it is doing in New Zealand, but it cannot continue to serve the community without community support, and so, on its street day on Wednesday, the citizens of 'Wellington are urged to give generously to help what is, after all, one of the city’s essential organizations.