Albert Hutler    Hutler Writings   List of honorees         Louis Rose Society         Jewishsightseeing home

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.