The Ypsilanti Daily Press

Homes Found For Children by Michigan Aid Society

EDITOR'S NOTE: This Is one of a series of articles showing extent of services rendered by agencies participating in the Community Fund allocation in Ypsilanti,

By Miss Jean Ruigh

Sally thought she would have to place her baby for adoption, as there seemed no possible way for her to take care of him. She could not think her way through the maze of difficulties, not with a clangor and din of riveting in her ears.

Their life had been so happy before, she thought, when Jim could be at home working and supporting the family, and she was free to take care of their little home and the baby. Now Jim was doing his part in the Army, and both of them were proud of that; but it made it necessary for her to go to work in the war plant to supplement her allotment and to take care of their expenses involved in buying their own home. At first it was alright because Sally's mother was able to take care of the baby. Now, however, grandmother was ill, seriously so, and could not be counted on to take responsibility for Jimmy for a long time. Sally liked her job in the war plant and felt that she was doing essential work, and furthermore needed the money, but she was terribly worried about her baby's having the care that he so much needed during these years.

Threading her way through a mass of cars outside the plant as she went home, she confided her difficulties to a friend. Thus she was directed to the Michigan Children's Aid Society. Through them her baby was placed in a licensed boarding home with a kind, warm, outgoing boarding mother.

She could visit him regularly and share with the family who takes care of him the triumph of his first tooth, his first step, and his first words.

In the meantime Sally could continue her work in the war plant free of worries about Jimmy, secure in the knowledge that her baby was being given the best of care. Furthermore, she could talk over her lonesomeness and concern about Jim in the war with a worker in the agency. Through the case worker's understanding and guidance, she became better able to face the big responsibilities of her life and looked ahead hopefully to the future when the family could once more be together.

This is only one instance of a variety of services offered by the Michigan Children's Aid Society, which is one of the agencies whose services are so necessary, especially in this time of war and the resultant upheaval in family life. Your contribution to the United War Fund and Community Chest of Ypsilanti helps to make this vital service possible.