Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - V. Social Movements - 4. Other Social Movements - Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Association. By Karl Fries - Social Rescue Work. By A. Wirén
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74 (i
v. social movements.
in forest regions, among mountains, and supply a great want by providing rest
and recreation for young people during a longer or shorter holiday.
In the various homes and premises of the Association, young women of
different classes and callings assemble together, at social gatherings and devotional
meetings, for common work and common interests. An important social
mission is doubtless fulfilled by these girls from different spheres of life gathering
together to understand and sympathize with one another. A new kind of
summer work consists of camp-meetings for young girls from 15—25 years of age.
At these camp-meetings the young girls can enjoy a week of unconstrained,
joyful, and profitable intercourse.
Lending libraries with or without separate reading-rooms are to be found at
most of the branches.
The Y. W. C. A. Swedish Alliance has 46 associations with an aggregate
of 4 600 members. It is in connection with the World Alliance and can
therefore afford assistance and support to its members in all countries where a Y.
W. C. A. is found.
Social Rescue Work.
Voluntary social rescue work has grown up side by side with that
shown by the State and commune, in befriending various classes
requiring help. The former generally stands in close cooperation with the
latter, and frequently enjoys financial aid from them. A similar branch of
work is found in the private or voluntary relief of the poor, and another
in social rescue work, whose function is to provide in various ways for such
persons as, according to prevailing legislation, cannot avail themselves of
assistance intended to be furnished bjr boards of guardians, or allied
organizations in the state or commune. This section includes released
prisoners, prostitutes, inebriates, etc.
(1) Rescue work among released prisoners. The warm interest for prison
reforms which arose in Europe in the twenties, added an inpulse to the
measures taken for the care of released prisoners. In Sweden, King Oscar I was
the prime mover in these efforts. Testimony of this fact is furnished by his
book "Punishment and Penal Institutions". Associations were founded to get work,
or otherwise befriend, released prisoners. The Kristianstad Län Prisons Society,
founded in 1848, was the first local association in Sweden. Activity in this
branch first attained wide dimensions in the seventies and eighties. There
were then established:
(A) Prisons and Protection Associations in all the läns except the two
of Västergötland.
At present they number 24, and the governor is as a rule president in his län.
A central association was formed in 1879, for the support of released
prisoners, with the governor of the prisons as chairman. In 1912 the Royal Board of
Prisons undertook directly to provide released prisoners with places, which the
Central body had previously done. All associations here named are intended above
all else to deal with such released prisoners as during their term of punishment
had observed good conduct. The Prisons Board disposes of various funds for the
purpose. Their proceeds in 1911 amounted to 24 882’94 kronor; the balance
of the län associations the same year was 239 173’3i kronor.
(B) The Protection Society (Skyddsvärnet) formed in 1910, and operating
throughout the whole country, contemplates the care not only of released
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