POOR
245
POOR
ard supplies. We find many charitable aaeociations
which make a specialty of furnishing one particular
kind of relief. Thus, for instance, one society may
provide shoes and books for school children; an-
other, outfits for newly-born infants or for First Com-
munion children; another assumes the role of Santa
Claus and makes provision to answer the hopeful
letters which the children of the poor write asking for
Christmas gifts. Certain organizations, like sewing
circles, will meet regularly throughout the year or
during a given period to make garments for later dis-
tribution. An interesting modification in relief
work which is the outgrowth of the beautiful Christ-
mas sentiment is found in the practice of furnishing
well-supplied baskets of provisions for Christmas
dinners. This practice is rapidly assuming large
proportions, and appears to have a high educational
value. Many who appear indifferent to the needs of
the poor are won over to an interest in them by the
spirit of Christmas giving, and numbers remain faith-
ful contributors to charity work from that time on.
If the resources of a family are temporarily sus- pended, a loan rather than formal charity may be needed, or redemption from the bondage of the loan shark. In such cases the required loan is found, the loan shark forcefully dealt with, or his claims taken and carried by the charitable society. The high sense of honour frequently found among the poor in re- paying such loans or even money given in charity is worthy of mention. If the family has need of legal assistance as may occur in cases of wife-deser- tion, non-support, crueltj', or injustice, the need is met by attorneys who are active members of a chari- table organization, or by legal aid societies made up of attorneys united for the purpose of giving legal aid to the poor. If the family has sufficient income to meet its wants and its plight is due rather to mis- management than to need, efforts are made to give assistance in the management of things. Small debts are gathered up into one sum, the time and manner of paying them are agreed upon and followed out, the purchase of necessaries is studied by the friendly visitor and the mother or father, with a view to intelligent economy and jjrotection against fraud. The most intimate details in household management are regulated. If the father has carried insurance and is then unable to pay his dues, the society makes the payments. Such services make up the work of the friendly visitor. The aim is to bring to the family the services of a real and helpful friend ren- dered in anatural and friendly spirit, thus 'ntniducing into the family circle the strcngtli, intelligence, and moral support that come into normal lives through normal friendships. If the mother is a poor house- keeper, she is instructed; if she lacks intelligence in training her children, assistance is offered. There is no difficulty or defect in the whole economy of the home to which the friendly visitor will not direct attention in the hope of awakening the latent in- telligence and resources of the little group.
Though every poor family must be looked upon in- dividually and should be relieved according to its individual constitution, the presence of large num- bers of poor families subjected to practically the same environment and manifesting typical forms of weak- ness and inefficiency will present conditions which may be best dealt with collectively. The following are typical methods of collective relief: When a number of poor mothers are compelled to work, pro- vision for the care of their young children is made in what is known as the day nursery. A central house is rented or purchased, where the mothers bring their children in the morning, and call for them after the day's work is done. The day nursery may be in charge of either religious or lay women. The children are taught, amused, fed, and clothed. The mothers are instructed as to the care of their children when
occasion arises. In some cases a nominal charge of
five or ten cents per day is made; in other cases there
is no charge whatever. The policy is determined
not from the standpoint of revenue but from that of
sustaining the self-respect of the family and hinder-
ing possible abuses of the generosity of the organiza-
tion. A second form of collective service is found in
what is known as the social settlement. The chari-
table society selects a house in a poor neighbour-
hood and makes it a centre of social activities for the
poor families about it. Hither come mothers for
their club meetings, instruction in sewing, house-
keeping, and care of children ; boys and girls, for their
club meetings, play, or evening study. Old and
young find an adequate library where the whole
range of their approved tastes in reading may be
satisfied. At such times and in such manner as suit
conditions instruction is given in religion, the ele-
ments of character, and simpler trades; particular
attention is directed to the work of teaching girls
to make their own clothes. The social settlement
furnishes for the poor as wide a range of opportunity
for inspiration and self - development as the wealthy
find in their clubs.
Collective relief is found also in what is known as Fresh Air Work. A home is provided in the coun- try to which the children of the poor are taken in relatively large numbers and remain from seven to fourteen days. A well-balanced diet is given to them during their stay, and their physical condition, moral, and spiritual needs are looked into. When the fresh air home is completely equipped, all phys- ical defects are carefully noted and cases requiring attention are referred to charitable organizations for attention after the child's return home. These homes are under the direction of either religious or lay women. A modification of this work is found in the single day excursions which are provided at fre- quent intervals during the summer for the children of the poor and for children in institutions. Another form of collective service is that of encouraging thrift. The typical method of doing this is to send collectors among the poor who gather their nickels and dimes which would otherwise be wasted, giving in return some form of receipt such as a stamp pasted into a book used for the purpose. The money thus collected is held to the credit of the saver and is re- turnable on demand. In this way, families very fre- quently save sufficient during the summer to make provision for times of idleness or for the severer de- mands of the winter.
The care of the sick poor in their homes is a matter of supreme concern. Aside from the service rendered by the friendly visitor whose function extends to all the members of the family, whatever their condition, there are communities of sisters and associations of lay women which aim to nurse the sick and supply medicine, food, and clothing without remuneration of any kind. Physicians are found in fair numbers among our charitable organizations, and their ser- vices are uniformly given in the work. Religious communities thus engaged make no distinction as to creed or colour. The associations aim to supply defi- nite needs of the sick poor. If a change of climate is required for an individual, the means and direc- tions necessary are forthcoming; if tubercular pa- tients require a special diet or delicate infants need a certified milk, provision is made; surgical appliances, artificial limbs, crutches, etc. are supplied whenever called for. Provision for the decent burial of the poor is found in practically all Catholic charitable organizations; traditionally, the cemetery corpora- tions furnish lots without expense. The hospital dispensary which is found widely among Catholic hospitals provides the services of physicians in special, as well as in general, practice for every type of ail- ment which may be brought to notice and furnishes
