Young Women's Christian Association of Philadelphia (Pa.), Kensington Branch Records
Collection ID
Acc. 520, 531, 552, PC-43
Related Subjects
Collecting Areas
Description
Collection Summary
Title
Young Women's Christian Association of Philadelphia (Pa.), Kensington Branch Records
Dates
1891-1981
Collection ID
Acc. 520, 531, 552, PC-43
Creator
Young Women’s Christian Association of Philadelphia (Pa.). Kensington Branch
Quantity
10 linear feet (8 boxes)
Repository
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries
Language
Materials in English
Detailed Collection Information
Historical Note
The Kensington Branch of the YWCA of Philadelphia was founded in 1891, for the primary purpose of providing a residence for the many young women employed in the numerous textile and lace factories located in Kensington. Since that time the Kensington YWCA has been an advocate for and provider of services to residents in the Kensington community, with special focus on the needs of women and girls.
As the neighborhood changed, so did the variety of programs offered by the Kensington YWCA. The Kensington Branch provided a wide range of activities: physical fitness, swimming, skills, crafts, and educational classes. The Residence Program at the Kensington YWCA offered independent living arrangements for low-income women.
Description of Collection
The collection consists records by and related to the Kensington Branch of the YWCA of Philadelphia. The Board minutes span nearly the entire history of the organization, thus providing an excellent overview of the Kensington YWCA. Of special interest in this collection are the Board and program minutes from the very beginning of Kensington Branch. Also, there is particularly strong documentation of the Girls’ Coalition.
Organization and Arrangement
This collection is divided into 10 series:
Series 1: Administration, 1891-1980
Series 2: Financial, 1961-1980
Series 3: Committees, undated
Series 4: Correspondence, 1970-1981
Series 5: Programs and Services, 1891-1977
Series 6: Girls’ Coalition, 1975-1980
Series 7: Other Branches, 1932-1975
Series 8: Other Organizations, undated
Series 9: Miscellaneous, 1915-1976
Series 10: Photographs and Clippings, circa 1965-1972
Series 1: Administration, 1891-1980, pertains to the activities of the Kensington YWCA Board and staff. Especially useful are the Board minutes dated from 1891 to 1979. It can be seen that throughout the years, a number of changes occurred concerning the official name of the Board. Initially, it was simply called Board, however, by 1943, Committee of management was adopted as the official title. Still more changes occurred after this. Around 1963 it was called the Board of Management, and finally, around 1972, Board was agreed upon. In addition to the minutes, the numerous constitution and by-laws, personnel files, office files, and statistical reports trace the branch’s development, trends and significance.
Series 2: Financial, 1961-1980, includes information concerning fund raising, budgets, payroll, expenses, and financial statements.
Series 3: Committees, undated, covers the operations of administrative committees, programs and services committees, and special committees.
Series 4: Correspondence, 1970-1981. Letters from inside and outside the organization, are chronologically arranged within each individual. One general correspondence file is also included.
Series 5: Programs and Services, 1891-1977, covers the various programs and services offered by the Kensington Branch. It is primarily arranged by different kinds of activities, such as programs, clubs, classes, events, and residence, etc. Publicity materials occupy a large portion of this series. It consists of 15 folders of brochures, flyers, and news releases dated 1965-1977. Among the series, the program registrations, residence sign-up books, and visitor registers have to remain anonymous.
Series 6: Girls’ Coalition, 1975-1980, covers the Girls’ Coalition from 1977 to 1979. In 1977, government funding from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA-Department of Justice) was granted to a coalition of four girl-serving agencies: Girls Scouts, Girls Club, Big Sisters, and the YWCA. This funding has enabled the Kensington and North Central YWCA Branches to hire teen program staff who provided services to teen women in North Philadelphia Kensington areas.
Series 7: Other Branches, 1932-1975, concerns the administration of the Metropolitan Association, which is the administrative umbrella that oversees all the branches of the Philadelphia Association. In addition, this series includes publications and fund raising information from the YWCA of USA and World YWCA.
Series 8: Other Organizations, undated contains information related to Kensington Action Now, ASPIRA, Kensington Community Council, 25th District Parent Youth Aid Committee, Philadelphia Welfare Rights Organization, District V Coordinating Council, USO, Delaware Valley Association/Directors of Volunteer Programs, Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection, Miscellaneous.
Series 9: Miscellaneous, 1915-1976, contains the 100th Anniversary Kensington Branch celebration, Newspaper clippings, and Scrapbook. The scrapbook includes cards, letters, and photographs from friends of Kensington YWCA dated 1915-1918.
Series 10: Photographs and Clippings, circa 1965-1972, consists primarily of snapshots and news clippings removed from a binder. Photographs are generally unidentified and undated and have been placed in folders consistent with their placement within the original binder. Photographs date from 1965 through 1972, and portray mostly day care, sports, trips to the zoo, parties and dances. One photograph of the exterior of the YWCA branch is included. The folder of news clippings concerns itself with a YWCA meeting in San Diego, California, in 1973. No inventory is available for this series.
Patron Information
Research Access
Collection is open for research.
Collections Stored Off-Site
This collection may be housed off-site at the Library Depository, and require up to two business days to retrieve. Please review the finding aid and be prepared to identify specific materials to be retrieved. Contact the Special Collections Research Center in advance of your visit, so that materials may be relocated to the reading room for research.
Publication and Copyright Information
The Young Women's Christian Association of Philadelphia (Pa.), Kensington Branch Records are the physical property of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Young Women's Christian Association of Philadelphia (Pa.), Kensington Branch Records, Acc. 520, 531, 552, PC-43, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Donated through Mrs. Henderson in June 1982.
Processing Information
Finding aid revised according to contemporary archival standards in May 2016.
Index Terms
The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in Temple University’s electronic catalog:
Corporate Names:
Young Women’s Christian Association
Young Women’s Christian Association of Philadelphia (Pa.). Kensington Branch
Subjects:
African American women -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
Associations, institutions, etc. -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
Women -- Services for -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
Young Women's Christian associations
Places:
Philadelphia (Pa.)
Material Types:
Administrative records
Clippings
Correspondence
Financial records
Minutes
Pamphlets
Photographs
Reports
Inventory
Series 1: Administration, 1891-1980
Series 1 pertains to the activities of the Kensington YWCA Board and staff. Especially useful are the Board minutes dated from 1891 to 1979. It can be seen that throughout the years, a number of changes occurred concerning the official name of the Board. Initially, it was simply called Board, however, by 1943, Committee of management was adopted as the official title. Still more changes occurred after this. Around 1963 it was called the Board of Management, and finally, around 1972, Board was agreed upon. In addition to the minutes, the numerous constitution and by-laws, personnel files, office files, and statistical reports trace the branch’s development, trends and significance.
1 1 Constitution and By-laws 1937-39
1 2 Constitution and By-laws 1963
1 3 Constitution and By-laws 1975
1 4 Minutes. Board meeting 1891-1913
1 5 Minutes. Board meeting 1914-18
1 6 Minutes. Committee of Management 1943-45
1 7 Minutes. Committee of Management 1946-48
1 8 Minutes. Committee of Management 1949-53
1 9 Minutes. Committee of Management 1954-57
1 10 Minutes. Committee of Management 1958-59
1 11 Minutes. Committee of Management 1960
1 12 Minutes. Committee of Management 1961-62
1 13 Minutes. Board of Management 1963-64
1 14 Minutes. Board of Management 1965-66
1 15 Minutes. Board of Management 1967-68
1 16 Minutes. Board of Management 1969-70
1 17 Minutes. Board of Management 1971
1 18 Minutes. Board Meeting 1972
1 19 Minutes. Board Meeting 1973-74
1 20 Minutes. Board Meeting 1975-76
1 21 Minutes. Board Meeting 1978
1 22 Minutes. Board Meeting 1979
1 23 Minutes. Staff Meeting 1963-1970
1 24 Minutes. Staff Meeting 1971-1977
1 25 Minutes. Staff Meeting. 1978-1980
1 26 Minutes. Administrative Staff Meeting 1967, 1977-1980
1 27 Minutes. Program Staff Meeting 1966
1 28 Minutes. Department Head Supervisor Meeting 1979-1980
1 29 Minutes. Clerical Staff Development Meeting 1964
1 30 Minutes. Association Review Meeting 1978
1 31 Board Reports 1939
1 32 Board Reports 1940
1 33 Board Reports 1941
2 1 Board Reports 1942
2 2 Board Reports 1972-1974
2 3 Board Reports 1975-1976
2 4 Board Reports 1977
2 5 Board Reports 1978-79
2 6 Reports, Reviews and Surveys. Report of the National Review Team 1972, 1978
2 7 Reports, Reviews and Surveys. United Fund-Agency Review 1966
2 8 Reports, Reviews and Surveys. Exploratory Survey of Kensington Branch YWCA 1962
2 9 Personnel. Board list 1972-1979
2 10 Personnel. Board of Directors Nominations 1975-1979
2 11 Personnel. Personal Personnel Data Folder Undated
2 12 Personnel. Job Descriptions and Responsibilities Undated
2 13 Personnel. Retirement 1975
2 14 Personnel. Salary Scales and Classifications Undated
2 15 Personnel. Staff Contract circa 1977-1980
2 16 Personnel. Middle Atlantic Staff List and Maps circa 1974
2 17 Personnel. Employment of Work Study Students 1976
2 18 Procedures and Policies. General 1943
2 19 Procedures and Policies. General 1964
2 20 Procedures and Policies. General 1964
2 21 Procedures and Policies. General 1964
2 22 Personnel 1960-65
2 23 Personnel 1972, 1976
2 24 Finance 1953, 1964
2 25 Finance 1968
2 26 Public Relations 1964
2 27 Fire Drill Undated
2 28 Miscellaneous Undated
2 29 Office Files 1943
2 30 Office Files 1958-1962
3 1 Office Files 1964
3 2 Office Files 1979
3 3 Administration Attendance Statistics 1960
3 4 Administration Attendance Statistics 1961
3 5 Administration Attendance Statistics 1962
3 6 Administration Attendance Statistics 1963
3 7 Administration Attendance Statistics 1965
3 8 Administration Attendance Statistics 1970
3 9 Administration Attendance Statistics 1971
3 10 Administration Attendance Statistics 1972
3 11 Administration Attendance Statistics 1973
3 12 Administration Attendance Statistics 1978
3 13 Administration Attendance Statistics 1979
3 14 Administration Attendance Statistics 1980
3 15 Proposals. Inter-racial Crisis Team to Serve Three Contiguous Philadelphia Neighborhoods Undated
3 16 Establish City Wide League Undated
3 17 Outreach Program for Endangered Teen-aged Women Undated
Series 2: Financial, 1961-1980
Series 2 includes information concerning fund raising, budgets, payroll, expenses, and financial statements.
3 18 Fundraising. Annual Support Campaign Undated
3 19 Fundraising. The Philadelphia Foundation and United Fund Undated
3 20 Budgets 1961-1962
3 21 Budgets 1964-1965
3 22 Budgets 1965-1966
3 23 Budgets 1965-1966
3 24 Budgets 1966-1976
3 25 Budgets 1980
3 26 Payroll 1978-1979
3 27 Revenue and Expense Reports 1978-1979
3 28 Invoices/Bills/Payments Undated
Series 3: Committees, undated
Series 3 covers the operations of administrative committees, programs and services committees, and special committees.
4 1 Committee on Administration Undated
4 2 Liaison Committee Undated
4 3 Membership Committee Undated
4 4 Teen Program Committee Undated
4 5 Program Planning and Coordinating Committee Undated
4 6 Religious Resources Committee Undated
4 7 Cooperative Living Committee Undated
Series 4: Correspondence, 1970-1981
Series 4 contains letters from inside and outside the organization, which are chronologically arranged within each individual. One general correspondence file is also included.
4 8 Ballard, Bernice 1979-1981
4 9 Graham, Joanne 1977-1978
4 10 Grant, Maria 1970-1971
4 11 Hartman, Holly 1978
4 12 Mayer, Joan L. 1978
4 13 Perez, Margarita 1977-1978
4 14 Sims, Carolyn S. 1977-1978
4 15 Skucas, Susan E. 1977-1978
4 16 Temple, Phyllis 1978-1980
4 17 Wright, Charlotte B. 1970-1972
4 18 General Undated
Series 5: Programs and Services, 1891-1977
Series 5 covers the various programs and services offered by the Kensington Branch. It is primarily arranged by different kinds of activities, such as programs, clubs, classes, events, and residence, etc. Publicity materials occupy a large portion of this series. It consists of 15 folders of brochures, flyers, and news releases dated 1965-1977. Among the series, the program registrations, residence sign-up books, and visitor registers have to remain anonymous.
4 19 Programs 1891-1900
4 20 M.R.J. Club 1911-1917
4 21 M.R.J. Club 1917-1935
4 22 Reports Undated
4 23 Procedures and Policies Undated
4 24 Program Proposals Undated
4 25 Inspection Reports Undated
4 26 Evaluation of Program Units Undated
4 27 Unit Plans 1963
4 28 Unit Plans 1964-1965
4 29 Unit Plans 1967, 1969
4 30 Pool Maintenance Undated
4 31 Accident Reports 1966, 1975-1980
4 32 Financial. Rental Undated
4 33 Financial. Budgets and Bills Undated
4 34 Publicity. Brochures Undated
4 35 Flyers 1965-1969
4 36 Flyers 1970-1976
5 1 Flyers 1967-1968
5 2 Flyers 1969
5 3 News releases 1964-1965
5 4 News releases 1966-1968
5 5 News releases 1969-1970
5 6 News releases 1971
5 7 News releases 1971
5 8 News releases 1972
5 9 News releases 1973
5 10 News releases 1974
5 11 News releases 1975-1977
5 12 Registrations Undated
5 13 Programs. Careers for Peers Undated
5 14 Programs. T.W.A.A. (Teen Women Athletic Association) Undated
5 15 Programs. Neighborhood Youth Corps Program Undated
5 16 Programs. W.O.W. (Women Organizing Women) Undated
5 17 Programs. Teen Program Undated
5 18 Clubs. Action Audit Undated
5 19 Clubs. Elizabeth Golden Age Club Undated
5 20 Clubs. Women's Club Undated
5 21 Clubs. Blue Triangle Undated
5 22 Clubs. KEN-VAR Club Undated
5 23 Events. World Fellowship Dinner 1968
5 24 Events. A Cultural Extravaganza Undated
5 25 Classes. Child Care Undated
5 26 Classes. Spanish Undated
5 27 Classes. English Undated
5 28 Classes. Swimming Undated
5 29 Correspondence. Rebecca Grantz Club Undated
5 30 Correspondence. General Undated
5 31 Correspondence. Worship Materials Undated
5 32 Residence. Residence Requests Undated
6 1 Residence Sign-Up Book 1968
6 2 Residence Sign-Up Book 1969
6 3 Visitors Register 1957-1970
6 4 Visitors Register 1957-1970
Series 6: Girls’ Coalition, 1975-1980
Series 6 covers the Girls’ Coalition from 1977 to 1979. In 1977, government funding from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA-Department of Justice) was granted to a coalition of four girl-serving agencies: Girls Scouts, Girls Club, Big Sisters, and the YWCA. This funding has enabled the Kensington and North Central YWCA Branches to hire teen program staff who provided services to teen women in North Philadelphia Kensington areas.
6 5 Board of Managers. Central Unit Undated
6 6 Board of Managers. Correspondence 1978-1979
6 7 Board of Managers. Minutes 1977-1979
6 8 Board of Meetings. Reports 1977-1979
6 9 Meetings. All Staff Meetings 1977
6 10 Meetings. Staff Meeting 1977-1978
6 11 Meetings. Organization and Procedures Undated
6 12 Personnel. Job Description Undated
6 13 Personnel. Staff List Undated
6 14 Personnel. Teens Summer Jobs Undated
6 15 Personnel. Employment Plan Undated
6 16 Personnel. Plans 1977-1978
6 17 Reports. Milestone Chart Undated
6 18 Reports. Monitoring Reports Undated
6 19 Reports. Technical Reports Undated
6 20 Committees. Advisory Committee. Meeting 1975-1977-1979
6 21 Committees. Teen Council Undated
6 22 Committees. Liaison Committee. Meeting 1977-1978
6 23 Financial. Budgets 1977
6 24 Financial. Budgets 1978
6 25 Finanical. Budgets 1978
6 26 Budgets 1979-1981
6 27 Reports. Agendas 1978
6 28 Miscellaneous Undated
6 29 Correspondence 1978-1980
7 1 Correspondence 1978
7 2 Correspondence 1979
7 3 Proposals. LEAA Funds 1977
7 4 Proposals. Capacity Building 1980
7 5 Publicity. News Release Undated
7 6 Publicity. Miscellaneous Undated
7 7 Publicity. Miscellaneous Undated
Series 7: Other Branches, 1932-1975
Series 7 concerns the administration of the Metropolitan Association, which is the administrative umbrella that oversees all the branches of the Philadelphia Association. In addition, this series includes publications and fund raising information from the YWCA of USA and World YWCA.
7 8 Metropolitan. Board of Directors. Office Files 1960
7 9 Metropolitan. Board of Directors. Office Files 1961
7 10 Metropolitan. Board of Directors. Office Files 1962
7 11 Metropolitan. Board of Trustees Undated
7 12 Committees. Program Planning Committee. Minutes 1960
7 13 Committees. Program Planning Committee. Minutes 1961
7 14 Committees. Membership Committee. Undated
7 15 Committees. Volunteer Leadership Committee Undated
7 16 Committees. Research and Action Committee Undated
7 17 Committees. Committee on Handicapped Undated
7 18 Committees. Personnel Undated
7 19 Committees. Financial Undated
7 20 Publications. The YWCA News 1932-1940
7 21 Publications. YWCA Interchange 1974-1975
7 22 Publications. Miscellaneous Undated
7 23 Publications. Convention Working Paper Undated
7 24 Publications. All-Staff Conference Undated
7 25 Publications. Staff Consultations Undated
7 26 Publications. Emerging Aid Program Undated
7 27 Publications. Miscellaneous Undated
7 28 Publications. YWCA of USA Undated
7 29 World YWCA. Fundraising Undated
7 30 World YWCA. Publications Undated
Series 8: Other Organizations, undated
Series 8 contains information about Kensington Action Now, ASPIRA, Kensington Community Council, 25th District Parent Youth Aid Committee, Philadelphia Welfare Rights Organization, District V Coordinating Council, USO, Delaware Valley Association/Directors of Volunteer Programs, Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection, Miscellaneous.
7 31 KAN (Kensington Action Now) Undated
7 32 ASPIRA Undated
7 33 Kensington Community Council Undated
7 34 25th District Parent Youth Aid Committee Undated
7 35 Philadelphia Welfare Rights Organization Undated
7 36 District V Coordinating Council Undated
8 1 Delaware Valley Association/Directors of Volunteer Programs Undated
8 2 Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection Undated
8 3 Miscellaneous. Publications from Various Organizations Undated
8 4 Miscellaneous. Booklets from Various Organizations Undated
Series 9: Miscellaneous, 1915-1976
Series 9 contains the 100th Anniversary Kensington Branch celebration, Newspaper clippings, and Scrapbook. The scrapbook includes cards, letters, and photographs from friends of Kensington YWCA dated 1915-1918. For comment on the structure of this inventory see.
8 5 100th Anniversary, Kensington Branch Celebration Undated
8 6 Newspaper Clippings. General 1963
8 7 Newspaper Clippings. General 1964
8 8 Newspaper Clippings. General 1965
8 9 Newspaper Clippings. General 1966
8 10 Newspaper Clippings. General 1967
8 11 Newspaper Clippings. General 1970-1976
8 12 Neighborhood Newspaper Clippings 1966, 1969-1970
8 13 Neighborhood Newspaper Clippings 1969-1970
8 14 Scrapbook 1915-1918
8 15 Conference Materials Undated
8 16 Notes and cards (found loose in box) Undated
Series 10: Photographs and Clippings, circa 1965-1972
Series 10 consists primarily of snapshots and news clippings removed from a binder. Photographs are generally unidentified and undated and have been placed in folders consistent with their placement within the original binder. Photographs date from 1965 through 1972, and portray mostly day care, sports, trips to the zoo, parties and dances. One photograph of the exterior of the YWCA branch is included. The folder of news clippings concerns itself with a YWCA meeting in San Diego, California, in 1973.
No inventory available.
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