Y.W.C.A. ENTERPRISE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 125, 22 February 1944, Page 3

Y.W.C.A. ENTERPRISE

Hostels For Women And Girls The first Y.W.CA hostel in London in the 1850’s was a practical expression of the concern of women of that day for the young woman who through the necessity of earning a living or acquiring some training was forced to live away from home.- Nurses led -by Florence Nightingale were some of the first to use that hostel. • . It is a far cry from that day to this, hut ever since 'the Y.W.C.A. has been known in many lands for its hostels. The young war worker of today is perhaps a very different person from such as those nurses, but her needs are fundamentally the same. The tale of the preparation of a home away from home for her is one of sheets and blankets, of cooks and housemaids, almost as difficult to get and keep as the proverbial needle in a haystack. Rationing and scarcities of foodstuffs have all added further to the worries of the modern matron and her committee, but still 'the work goes on because of the conviction of those behind it and the devoted service of matrons. Indeed the Wellington Y.W.CA. has extended its service considerably and has now administrative control over three times as many beds as in pre-war days _ through being prepared to co-operate with Government departments, and even a private firm in supervising the homes thus provided. If the machinery and experience of the Y.W.C.A. had not been available for this service, many parents would have had more qualms about daughters taking employment in the city. To give liberty without licence, to allow such freedom as the young adult requires for healthy development are problems which demand fine discrimination on the part of Y.W.C.A. workers, to whom many a woman looks back in gratitude in later years for just those qualities which have helped her earlier. The work done in Wellington today is of this fine tradition, and merits the support of all who care what happens to the country’s young people. Tomorrow will be the Y.W.C.A. street day, when opportunity will be afforded to all to extend a helping hand.