Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, October 18, 1903, Page 29

ol Council Bluffs Creche and Its Work ONE OF THE DAY NURSERY TANDING In a beautiful glen nestling at the foot of one of the tall bluffs of Fairmount park can be seen a commodious two- story frame house, once the home of a well known family. Externally thera s nothing to distinguish it from any ordin- ary family dwelling, save for a large sign across the front of it, which reads “As- sociated Charitles’ Creche.” Here it is that one of the most deserving, but probas bly least known of the charitable insti- tutions of Council Bluffs has its home. This handsome building on Ninth avenue, Just east of Third street, In which the creche is located, s the result of three year's hard work and perseverance on the part of the members of the Associated Charities. Three ycars ago the need of a day nursery or'creche in Council Bluffs was forcibly impressed upon the minds ot 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, 1900, with Mrs. Anna B. Phelps as its first president. Starting with practically nothing, the association rented a house on Averue D and Tenth street and started a day nursery. Mrs. Caroline Johnson w installed as superintendent, which position she 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 dutles. The assoclation had much to overcome at the outset of its career. To equip and furnish the home 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 suflicient chairs to seat them 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 home 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 sccond floor is the ‘‘creche” proper. Here are two large bright rooms, in which twenty or mora little white iron cots can be seen, each with its little occupant Here the bables have their home. On this floor are also the nurses' sleeping room, a dormi- tory for the elder children, and the dlet kitchen. The work of caring for twusty or more babies can be better un}erstood ROOMS WHERE THE LITTLE TOTS ARE MADE COMFORTABLE WHILE MOTHER I8 AT WORK.—Photo by a Staff Artist, WHERE MANY HAPPY when it is stated that every day 200 bottles, from which the little ones are fed, have to be wasbed. 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 thesao 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 is fed and clothed and given medical attend- ance if sick for the small sum of $2 a week. While this {s the stipulated charge, mwany times the mother is unable to even pay this, but her child receives the same care, The work of the Associated Charitles 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 ard women who are leading a wayward life and they are given a refuge and every assists ance to reform. At present there are four young women in the home who haveé been rescued through the efforts of Mrs,~Johnson, the superintendent. They will-be cared for until suitable employment gan be found for them, The association sqprl' es many a poor fam- i{ly during the )'/Jr with provisions, fuel, clothing and other necessaries of life, fur- nishes medicine to the sick and provides transportation to their homes to many a d/’-'lll\.llu person. In connection with its work among the sick poor, the association “feels the need greatly of a tralned visiting nurse, The lack of funds alone prevents ths association from keeping such a nurse, but HOME OF THE COUNCIL BLUFFS CRECHE AT NINTH AVENUE AND THIRD STREET.—Photo by a Staff Artist is in hope that before long It will be able to do so. Mrs, Johnson is frequently called upon at all hours of the day and night by some slck poor person, but is unable to leave the home, Ostside of the small sum received for the carc of the babies in the creche the A soclated Charities depends upon volunta contributions to carry on its work., V are always welcome at the creche and Mrs, v itors Johnson, the superintendent, s always ready to show them through the huilding. The present officers of the Associated Char- ities are: President, Mrs, Jacob 8Sims; vice esident, Mrs. George T, Phelps; secre- Miss DBeebe,; treasurer, Mrs. P. J. gomery; corresponding secretary, Miss Nlzabeth Squire; counsellor, Miss Dodge; litore, Mrs, Ray Bixby and Mrs. George Keeline,