Council Bluffs Creche and Its Work
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ONE OF THE DAT NURSERY ROOMS WHERE THE LITTLE TOTS ARE MADE COMFORTABLE WHILE MOTHER. IS AT WORK. -Photo by n Stuff Artist.
TA WnTVrt In a Ka.i .it irln
I nestling at the foot of one of the
I tnll bluffa f Flrmniint nnrtc
can be seen a commodious two
story frame house, once the home
of a well kmwn family. Externally there
la nothing to distinguish It from any ordin
ary family dwelling, save for a large sign
across the front of It, which reads "As
sociated Charities' Creche." Here It Is
that one of the most deserving, but proba
bly least known of the charitable . Insti
tutions of Council Bluffs has its home.
Tills handsome building on Ninth avenu,
Just east of Third street, In which the
creche is located. Is the result of three
year's hard work and perseverance on the
part of the members of the Associated
Charities. Three years ago the need of a
day nursery or creche in Council Bluffs
was forcibly Impressed upon the minds of
several of the women who were more or
less actively engaged in charitable work:
of one kind or another. The result was the
organization of the Associated Charities
In December, 19(10, with Mrs. Anna B.
Phelps as its first president. Starting with
practically nothing, the association rented
a house on Avenue D and Tenth street
and started a day nursery. Mrs. Carolina
Johnson was installed as superintendent,
which position Bhe has retained ever
since. Here also, under the direction of
Miss Aylesworth, now Mrs. Beals of New
York, and Miss Ellen Dodge, now Mrs.
Edgar Scott, was started a "kitchen" gar
den and sewing circle by means of which
young girls were Instructed In the art of
household duties.
The association had much to overcome
at the outset of Its career. To equip and
furnish the homo on Avenue D and Tenth
street was a serious problem. Donations
eame In but slowly and Mrs. Johnson, the
superintendent, recalls the time when the
children had to be fed In relays, as there
were not sufficient chairs to seat thetn all
at the same time at the table. The
creche had Its home on Avenue D and
Tenth street for one year, when the needs
of larger premises necessitated the asso
ciation to seek a bigger house. The Beck
homo on Glen avenue was secured, and
here the creche remained for another
year. Last May the association, having
overcome all difficulties and obstacles for
two years, decided to secure a home of Its
own. The incoming of the Great Western
necessitated the removal of many houses
along its right of way. One of the houses
that had to be moved was the old Han
thorn family home. Through the assist
ance of County Treasurer Arnd the Asso
ciated Charities became the purchaser of
the house and It was removed to Its pres
ent beautiful location on Ninth avenue.
The house contains fourteen rooms, with
laundry and furnace room In the base
ment. On the ground floor Is the office,
superintendent's apartments, receiving
room, boys' dormitory, children's dining
room and kitchen. On the second floor
Is the "creche" proper. Here are two
large bright rooms, in which twenty or
moro little white Iron cots can be seen,
each with its little occupant. Here the
babies have their home. On this floor are
also the nurses' sleeping room, a dormi
tory for the elder children, and the dlef '
kitchen. The work of caring for twvrrty
r more babies, can be better understood
. I v.
IL Mrs?1 "1 . '
l.
vV.
A
Vv
WHERE MANY HAPPY MOMENTS ARE SPENT. Photo by a Staff Artist
when It Is stated that every day 200 bottles,
from which the little ones are fed, have
to be washed. In the diet kitchen is where
all the milk used Is sterilized,
"in the creche at present are thirty chil
dren, ranging In age from the 2-weeks-old
babe to girls and boys of 12 years. Of these
children six are orphans who are being
cared for until suitable homes can be found
for them. The mothers of the little babies
belong mostly to the working class, many
of them being employed as domestics. The
children are cared for at the creche, that U
fed and clothed and given medical attend
ance if sick for the small sum of $2 a
week. While this Is the stipulated charge,
rcany times the mother is unable to even
pay this, but her child receives the same
care.
The work of the Associated Charities Is
not limited to the caring for children at the
creche. It reaches far out. A helping hand
Is extended at all times to young girls and
women who are leading a wayward life and
they are given a refuge and every assists'
ance to reform. At present there are our
young women in the home who hay' been
rescued through the efforts of Mie.'Johnaon,
the superintendent. They wiy be cared for
until suitable employment yt-a'n be found for
them. ,S
The association supfres many a poor fam
ily during the yar with provisions, fuel,
clothing and other necessaries of life, fur
nishes medicine to the sick and provides
transportation to their homes to many
a dpr.titute person. In connection with its
work among the sick poor, the association
feels the need greatly of a trained visiting
nurse. The lack of funds alone prevents thi
association from keeping such a nurse, but
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HOME OF THE COUNCIL BLVPFd CRECHE AT NINTH AVENUE AND THIRD
tQ'KKKT. Photo by a Staff Artist.
Is In hope that before long It will be able
to do so. Mrs. Jol.nfon is frequently called
upon ut all hours of the day and night by
some Elck poor person, but is unable to
leave the home.
O v.slde of the small sum received for the
care of the babies In the creche tin: As
sociated Charities depends upon voluntary
contributions to carry on Its woik. Vimioi s
are always welcome at the creche and Mrs.
Jobrmonv the superintendent. Is always
ready to show them through the building.
The present officers of the Associated Char
ities are: President, Mrs. Jacob Sims; vico
president, Mrs. George T, Phelps; secre
tary, Miss Bcebe; treasurer, Mrs. P. J.
Montgomery; corresponding secretary. Miss
Elizabeth Kuuire; counsellor, Mim Doilge;
auditors, Mrs. Hay lilxby and Mrs. George
Keellr.e.
