Y.W.C.A. Plans To Extend Hostel Accommodation

Press, Volume C, Issue 29634, 3 October 1961, Page 2

Y.W.C.A. Plans To Extend Hostel Accommodation

Providing hostel accommodation for girh and ymntf womy Mying away from home has always been one of the Young Womens Christian Association’s major services. Its first hostel was opened tai Christchurch in the 1880’s. This year the board of directors of the local association has pledged itself to extending hostel facilities as soon as possible to meet an evergrowing demand for accommodation.

“An I see it the association's most urgent need is for additional hostel accommodation," Mid the general secretary (Miss B. J. Hardie) yesterday. The hostel had 67 beds and needed twice that number. There was always a waiting list for the hostel. Girts who applied tor board were continually being referred to good bed • and - breakfast houses as temporary accommodation, die Mid. “Last month the managingdireciors of 'two different Christchurch firms asked us if we could take several girls the firms were bringing from Australia to employ,” she said. It was Md to say ‘no,’ but we are having to do just that all the time.” The increasing demand for long-term accommodation also means that the association cannot make casual reservations for overseas visitors, a world-wide service the Y.W.CA. aims to give. Nselsts 9t Fund “Although we have no blue-print for additional accommodation at present, we do have a smal sum invested for the purpose and we are confident that the public will give us support,” Miss Hardie said. The public will have an opportunity to assist the association in its services next Friday, when the Y.W.CA street appeal will be held. In its concern for the welfare of young women, the Y.W.CA, as a world-wide organisation, depends on the quality of its leadership for the effectiveness of rs work

• Extensive leadership traini Ing programmes are held I e ?hese headers have the re- • sponaibility of helping to carry out the purpose of the ■ association in uniting .women and girls in a world-wide fellowship, to help them find 1 a definite aim in life. The vast activities’ pro- • gramme organised by the '• Christchurch Y.W.CA. is an expression of this purpose. Clubs, classes and sports ■ groups make up the pro- : gramme. i Sports include badminton. 1 basketball, judo, keep fit and ■ table tennis. There are ■ classes to ballet, art and I French. Chibs eater for all ■ ages and many interests. ! Schoolgirls have a Blue Triangle Club. Mothers ’ have their own club; so do • young business women and • young married women. The I Y Travel Club and the sew- • ing circle also attract many ) members. Men and boys are welcomed to the badminton, table tennis and travel > clubs. Summer Caaap > The Y.W.CA. summer • camp at Spencerville grows I every year. The buildings • are also used for other ’ camps, arranged during the year. Another small wing ■ will be added to the camp • to give extra accommodation t before the Christmas hoii- . days. In the May and August ■ school holidays the Y.W.C.A • holds “stay-at-home” camps • to give children an interest >;and to keep them occupied. rt The YWCA. in Christ- . I church has always recog-

nised that it Is a part of the community. It takes its responsibility in sharing the challenges of the city through its underlying principles of prayer and service. When Mias H. K. LovellSmith compiled a history to mark the seventieth anniversary of the Christchurch association earlier this year, she summed up this war- “Three things seem to be the foundation of the life of the association—-the loyalty and integrity of all staff members; the vision and leadership of presidents; and the generosity of the public.”