AN INVALUABLE WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1934, Page 9

AN INVALUABLE WORK

SCOPE OF THE Y.W.C.A. ITS AIMS AND IDEALS. .The Y.W.C.A. has a splendid record of achievement in New Plymouth, where the scope of its activities has been continually enlarged to provide for all/ manner of social work for girls. The Friendly Service Bureau has been established now for eighteen months, and has amply justified itself. Problems are greatest to the girl from the country who has no home to fall back on when she is out of work. The “Y” in such cases has either provided her with a “home” in Its hostel, or has accepted the offer of some kind friend to provide temporary home in their own family while the girls are waiting for a suitable position: With the younger girl who has left school and has neither experience nor training to back her, here is another even greater problem. Sometimes there are personal problems and needs other' than just the need of employment—the need of clothing, the need of home, -the need of training. Whatever the need in this time of uncertainty it .is the business of the Y.W.C.A. to supply it in the name of the citizens of the town who really care for the welfare of the girls of their city. It is the business of an organisation experienced with girls to look ahead of their needs and prepare them for the future. The Girl Citizens, who number forty, are under the leadership of Miss D. Bates, and are a group of bright young girls between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years, full of enthusiasm and eager to enter into all association activities. Since ■ the amalgamation with the Y.M.C A. one year ago two new groups of girls under 14 years have developed—the Wayfarers and the Tiny Y’s. These, girls are members of the junior physical culture classes taken by Mr. J. H. Ledgerwood, Y.M.C.A. secretary, and also look to share in this greatest and most comprehensive of all women’s movements. Important as the work is with the younger adolescent' girls the business

girt has always been the backbone of the association, and so the Round Table Clubs meet fortnightly. As business and professional ■ women they are part of a Dominion-wide movement founded by Miss Jean Stevenson, national general secretary ,of the New Zealand Y.W.C.A., for special study on modem problems and. current events —a challenge to the thinking woman to become- an intelligent and vital citizen in these times of change and chaos. Two General Interest clubs for younger business girls meet weekly and partake in a varied and all round programme. The total number sharing in senior club activities is sixty-four. No movement "that cares for the •abundant life which should be the lot of every girl could neglect sport and physical culture, for these are part of the life of every, normal-and happy girl. The Y.W.C.A. Board of New Plymouth has long had the dream of a perfect and finished gymnasium to offer for the service of the young men and women of New Plymouth, and at last that dream is nearly realised. The gymnasium will soon be completed, and already fifty girls are enrolled in classes which are at present using the very inadequate hall. It is with great gratification that the Y.W.C.A. has for one year worked in amalgamation with the Y.M.C.A. The new plan of co-operation has worked . well and for the benefit of both organisations. Inadequate equipment has made it necessary to complete the building in Powderham Street, which will provide Y.M.C.A. club rooms and office. The experiment of amalgamation has proved most satisfactory in every way, and now that New Plymouth has lead the way other centres in the Dominion will doubtless follow.