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Community Currents
Southwestern Jewish Press, July 20, 1951, page 2
By Albert Hutler, Executive Director, United Jewish Fund
Aged Programs—Progressive communities throughout the country are
devising programs for their older residents who are living in the community. The
latest is Detroit's experiment with a program of employment guidance and
placement, to help older persons suffering from chronic illness and physical
handicaps to become productive wage earners. The program provides older persons
with complete medical examinations, consultations with physicians,
rehabilitation activities, analysis of work experience and interest, training
counseling and specialized job finding. Chicago has developed its "Golden
Aged" Club to a point where recently a convention was held of "over
65'ers" with 500 in attendance. Other cities are experimenting with various
projects. In our estimation it is not enough for those who are interested in the
San Diego Home for the Aged to have the responsibility for the care of the aged
in our community, to merely create a place where people of 65 and over can spend
the rest of their days. The Home and the Federation, in dealing with the
problems of the aged have a responsibility to all who come within this category.
When you consider that 7 1/4 percent of the population of the United States is
over 65, and that it is anticipated that in ten years this number will be
doubled, it seems to us that intelligent planning calls for much more than
brick, stones and beds.
Federation—Five years ago Central Administration of the
several welfare agencies in San Diego was nothing more than a dream. Today
through the Federation, community lay leaders who favor such a proposal begin to
see a good possibility of efficient central administration of Jewish Social
Agencies in San Diego within the next few years. Many of the community
leaders, who several years go, felt that such a development was far too advanced
for San Diego have changed their outlook. Others who felt that such a program
would place too much authority in the hands of a few individuals now realize
that such an argument is false and that each agency's operation remains
independent. One thing, even the opposition to this type of administration
understands is that it certainly is a more efficient operation on the dollar and
cents basis. It makes for better administration and a closer overall efficient
operation.
Only Sleeping?—Don't for a moment thing that the question for a Jewish
Community Center is dead. There may be many surprises in store when September
rolls around it is hoped to have a director who will meet the approval of the
community by that time, and there is an excellent possibility of securing a fine
facility for the program. Work is quietly being done on this
project. Camp Jaycee, the Jewish Community Center Association's Day
Camp, has developed into a major summer activity in a period of five years.
Statistics show over 135 individual children registered with an average of 96
attending five days per week. $2912 is set up for the budget for the six
weeks of which $2630 is for the staff of 14 counselors, headed by Dave Anfanger,
and $1070 for transportation. On "Cookout Day" at Torrey Pines,
12 pounds of hamburgers and 12 pounds of hotdogs, as well as 215 buns are
necessary to feed hungry campers, 105 one-half pints of milk also are consumed
each day, 300 lolly-pops and 110 ice cream cups are used each week.