Lutheran Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing - Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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Lift Up 'Your Eyes A group of Day Nursery children at prayer before the afternoon lunch. economically, 178 homes have been helped to help themselves, and their aptitude to call upon the state for help has been lessened. From a small, humble Mission to a stately dwelling with a large surrounding play- ground has been its material advancement. Truly our Master has stamped His favor upon this Work toward His loved ones. The above are a few excerpts from the Lutheran Deaconesss Day Nursery which will give you a slight insight into this great work. The complete booklet will be sent you on request. Page Sixteen

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Lift Up row Eyes uh wanting also in the message of the Gospel. Here in this little school, children were garnered in, cleaned and washed up, and then told the wonderful story of our Saviour. Here, too, mother's meetings were held with devotions, health and educational talks and refreshments, sewing classes were conducted for the girlsg and Sunday School on Sabbath afternoons. Truly the Lord prospered the work, for the hall soon became too small. In October, 1914, the Mission was moved two blocks away to 1307 W. Erie Street, with Sister Caroline as Superintendent, Sister Olette as kindergarten teacher, and Sister Martha Hagen as first Nursery, relief and house visitation matron. Here three new branches were set up, namely, manual training and Bible classes for the boysg Gospel meetings for the adults, and day nursery work. A poor mother of six children, who had been deserted by her husband, made a pitiful plea for leaving her little ones at the Mission while she sought work during the day. Her supplication was granted, and thus, the Day Nursery had its actual start. But there were never more than eight children kept here during the day. In 1917, the place again outgrown, the Nursery was moved to 1759 No. Campbell Avenue, in a store building with three flats. In October of the same year, the kindergarten numbered fortyfthree, ages three to six. Witli its first license on October first, 1917, the Day Nursery opened with one child, but sixteen were added during the month. Sister Caroline was Superintendent until 1919, when Sister May took charge. In September, 1921, a notice to move was received. With meager funds and no place in view, matters looked dark. In vain, the sisters sought a place. Friends, however, came to the rescue, and in the fall of 1921, the present property was purchased at a cost of fB5,2iO. In 1924, the house was moved to the rear of the lot, remodeled and enlarged at a cost of 5513,000.00. At the present, the institution is valued at 325,000 From an objective viewpoint, we marvel at the rapid growth of this Day Nursery. From one child at the time of licensing, to wellfnigh 300 at the present, is the remarkable increase in enrollment. During the past year, 178 homes have experienced of its benefitsg thus, socially and Page Fifteen

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Lift Up Your Eyes Glimpses of Sister Carollinels T Work ' Sister Caroline Willianis, Child Welfare worker in Illinois for the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, is a well known and well beloved Deaconess whose work f takes her tothe juvenile court almost every day. This is the children's court room. To this place defenseless or neg' lected children are taken. Here is one of the most im' portant places for the work of our church, 'especially in the larger cities. Sister Caroline has made many a home happy by bringf ing a homeless child to people who had no children of their ownl Many are those who thankv God for the little orf phans given to them. Not long ago the case of T an eight months old baby was . brought to her attention. This baby had been born in one of - the Chicago hospitals fnot our ownj. The mother died and the trusted to her care by the Juvenile Court child WHS deserted by its father. The hospital cared for the baby for eight months when it was brought into court. The court learned that the parents were Lutherans and so committed it to the Lutheran Home Finding Society. Sister Caroline investigated the case and found that the relatives were willing to place the child for adoption. She knew of a couple who wanted to adopt a child and so arrangements were made and on the date set, the child was brought to court. The baby's relatives were there too, but they were in another part of the court room and were regarded merely as spectators and were assured that all was well. Sister Caroline with three children en- Page Seventeen