POOR
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POOR
ordinated. A similar movement toward co-ordina-
tion of diocesan charities is also found. General
meetings of charitable organizations of all kinds for
purposes of discussion and improvement of methods
occur with increasing frequency. Finally, there are
organizations which undertake particular works and
gradualh' expand activity vmtil they include repre-
sentation from a large number of cities and states in
their organization.
The combination of all Catholic charities in the United States into one vast national conference has just been begun under the name "The National Conference of Catholic Charities". The aims of the Conference, much like those of all similar charitable organizations, are the following: (1) to bring about exchange of views among experienced Catholic men and women who are active in the work of charity; (2) to collect and pubhsh information concerning or- ganization, problems, and results in Catholic charity; (.3) to bring to expression a general policy toward dis- tinctive modern questions in reUef and prevention and towards methods and tendencies in them; (4) to encom-age further development of a literature in which the religious and social ideals of charity shall find dignified expression. Relief problems will differ somewhat with the locality and with the character of those in need. This is particularly the case in the United States where city population is so heterogeneous. It is necessary, therefore, to confine this description to typical methods, excluding those peculiar to any locality. Furthermore, no attempt is made to indicate quantities in rehef work or extent in organization. The methods described are the methods actually found in Catholic circles, which are to a large extent like those followed in organized charity generally, but differ in motive and spirit and the degree in which certain principles are followed or certain factors emphasized.
Information concerning the needs of the poor reaches the organization through many channels. Application may be made directly by those in want. Members of an organization while working among the poor whom they know are constantly discovering new cases. Other charitable organizations, whether secu- lar or religious, will usually notify a Catholic society when they discover Catholics in want. Teaching sisters in parochial schools are frequently able to render most efficient service through the knowledge which they obtain of the needs of poor families. Policemen report cases of which they learn. The ministrations of the parish priest among the poor, and the prompt instinctive turning of these to the priest when distress comes, enable the latter to place information concerning every conceivable plight of the needy in the hands of the charitable organization. We thus find a fairly complete network of factors through which relief agencies are enabled to obtain early knowledge and give prompt assistance. No doubt the tendency in many poor families to hide their suffering and bear privation in silence baffles the watchfulness of all agencies, but on the whole these factors in the work of relief are extremely helpful.
Once it is discovered that relief is needed an ex- perienced member of an organization is directed to take charge of the case immediately. If an emer- gency is found immediate relief is given without question, otherwise such inquiry is instituted as will bring out the cause of the distress together with the kind and degree of relief needed. Relatives are sought out if there are any in position to take care of the case, former employers or even friends who might be willing to assist are looked for, and appeal is made to them. If there are no such relations discovered, the charitable organization assumes charge of the case and accepts full responsibility for it. From that moment, personal attention and service will be given
to the family or individual as long as may be needed.
Spirit and practice in Catholic circles strongly favour
most delicate regard for the feelings and privacy of
the poor. In fact, organizations usually make pro-
vision for exceptional cases by placing funds at the
disposal of the priests or some officer of the society,
no account of which will be rendered even to the
organization itself. No knowledge of the names of
those relieved or of the nature of their need is given
even to any officer in the organization.
The result of an inquirj- into the condition of a family, full account of the relief given, and all the salient facts in the condition and history of the family or individual are made a matter of record in the minutes of the society's meetings. These minutes are accessible to the members of the or- ganization and to no one else unless definite necessity require it. The impression that records are a matter of indifference in Catholic circles is to some extent inexact. The card index method with its elaborate details is not used as widely as in other circles, but substantial records found in the minutes, supple- mented by definite personal knowledge of the poor, serve practically ever\- purpose at which any matter of record-keeping can aim. Cases are thoroughly discussed in the regular meetings of the charitable society. Reports are made by those in charge and judgment in governing a case is based on thorough but confidential discussion. Every stage of relief- giving is made a matter of direct personal concern to a member of the societj', who looks upon his work as an organic part of his religious activity. This service of the poor is associated with the work of prayer and fasting in the religious life of an individual. The bond of spiritual union in charity, which results from this commonly shared estimate of its spiritual character, paves the way for a certain degree of co- ordination which adds greatly to the efficiency of Cathohc charities.
We may take for illustration an average poor family and study the process of relieving it. If housing conditions are bad, they are corrected, or a new house found. If the neighbourhood contains elements of moral danger, the family is moved to a new environment in another section of the city as a first step in its reconstruction. If housing conditions are satisfactory and the family is unable to pay rent, provision is made for it. The resources of the family are studied, and for members who are capable of wage- earning activity, emploj-ment is unfailingly found. This constitutes one of the most important and help- ful featiu'es of relief work. If the mother is compelled to labour, provision is made for the care of her young children, as described below. If conditions do not warrant the mother in working, she is kept at home to care for her family and prONnsion is made for her sup- port. The family may be able to earn part but not all of the income needed, or it may need complete relief temporarily, ^\'hatever the condition, effort is made to adjust the kind and degree of relief to the needs and outlook of the family. At all times the primarj- aim is to draw out their resources, to do nothing which will stifle them, but to do everything which will lead the family to beUeve in itself and effect its own salvation.
The standard of adequate relief cannot be a uni- versally determined quantity. The judgment of those in immediate charge of the case is usually ac- cepted as final, under the general policy of not doing too much nor quite all that may be needed. The family is made to realize that self-help is in all cases better than relief from outside. The relief needed may be given in money to be expended by the family or in tickets on which are described the items and the quantities to be obtained. These tickets are pre- sented to a selected retailer or to the storekeeper of the organization itself when the latter keeps stand-
