WORK OF THE Y.W.C.A.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21879, 15 August 1934, Page 4

WORK OF THE Y.W.C.A.

ACTIVITIES OF THE YEAR STEADILY GROWING FIELD The report of the year's activities of the Young Women's Christian Association to be presented nt the annual meeting this evening states that, in addition to the careful supervising of the work and finance of its own department, each committee has contributed to the general funds of the association, first by carrying out an individual money-raising project, and then by talyng part in the whole association enterprises, these consisting of a street collection in June, a ganiefj afternoon in November and a garden party in March. From these there resulted over £3OO.

The report further stated that the average number of people using the administration building daily is 500; quite half of these have no other touch with the Y.W.C.A., and more than half are non-members. Accommodation has been given to 556 women and girls, a proportion being hospitality to unemployed girls. he house committee supervises the care of the building, and this year has effected many renovations and replacements. The federation of senior clubs now stands at 279, and the general interest clubs at 108.

In regard to Holiday House, there has been a striking improvement. The first is the setting up of a new committee. This was supplemented by the helpful offer of the committee members to act as hostesses at week-ends and that of Mrs. Toner (now in residence at Holiday House) to make provision for individual boarders as desired. The second improvement is in the financial position. The monetary loss on last year's working was £258; this year it is down to £65. The Girls' Department membership now stands at 109. 'lhe report stated that there has been a considerable fall-ing-off of girls who have been members for a number of years. Overtime work, night schools, the disadvantages of travelling, the increasing number of church clubs, cheap cinemas and dances are among the factors that have caused girls to leave. The report also stated that the Opportunity classes in shorthand speed and dressmaking continued until December of last year. This year it was felt that the work should lie extended to include, beside dressmaking, reed loom weaving, children's nurse training, business science, home nursing, home carpentry and singing; but, with the exception of dressmaking, the number of enrolments did ;iot warrant the carrying on of the classes. r l hat fewer girls are out of work is a good sign. The report of cafeteria work showed that the number of meals served during the year totalled 57,812. A good deal of special catering had also been done. The hostel continues to fill its place in the community as a home for girls and women who are compelled to live away from home. The number of permanent girls is steadily increasing, and transient inmates have made a record—--1027 for the year. In December and January together over 300 travelling women and girls were housed.