Public welfare

Maryann Mahaffey Papers

srafferty — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 09:34:02 -0500

Maryann Mahaffey was born on January 18, 1925 in Burlington, Iowa to Kent and Margaret ‘Nell’ [Widener] Mahaffey. Mahaffey’s older brother was also named Kent. While she was attending Cornell College, she decided to spend the summer of 1945 working as a Recreation Director at Poston Internment Camp in Arizona. This work had a profound effect on Mahaffey in regard to fighting against discrimination and helping people in need.
After obtaining masters degrees in social work from the University of Southern California, Mahaffey and her husband moved briefly in Indianapolis before moving to Detroit. Mahaffey worked with organizations like Young Woman's Christian Association (YWCA), Girl Scouts of America, Merrill Palmer Institute, and Brightmoor Community Center before becoming involved in local politics.
After working as a consultant to the Mayor of Detroit on parks, recreation, and social services, Mahaffey initiated and chaired the Mayor's Task Force on Malnutrition and Hunger before running for Wayne County Commissioner in 1970. Though she did not win the election for this position, she did win a Michigan Supreme Court case setting a legal precedent for married women running for public office with their maiden name. In 1973, Mahaffey ran for Detroit City Council and won, she served on the city council until 2005.
Active outside of her council work, Mahaffey also taught as a Professor at Wayne State University School of Social Work as well as participating in many social work and positive social force organizations. She played important roles in the Michigan Social Work Council, National Association of Social Workers (NASW) including being their first elected female President, and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). Mahaffey also focused heavily on organization promoting peace, women in politics, health, and equality.
Mahaffey was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2005 and passed away on July 27, 2006 due to health complications.

This collection contains materials with a heavy emphasis on the city of Detroit, as well as social work and social service organizations.
From Mahaffey's numerous decades on the Detroit City Council, there are detailed notes, correspondence, and reports relating to the daily work was involved in including city budget, casinos, an anti-surveillance ordinance, housing, and many other subjects of focus. This collection also contains materials related to her teaching at Wayne State University including detailed information on social service organizations in Metro Detroit. Other important elements of this collection relate to her experience working at Poston, the many organizations Mahaffey played an active role in running and organizing, and the speeches, testimony, and writing she did covering the broad range of her experience and interests.

Michigan Welfare League Records

drice — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:44:42 -0500

The League is interested in physical and mental health, mental retardation, juvenile and adult corrections, family and child welfare, public assistance, recreation and group work, special education, aging, youth problems, migrant labor, and human relations. Minutes, newsletters, correspondence, and other documents reflect the League's work in these areas. Among the correspondents are Jerome Cavanagh, Anthony Celebrezze, Philip Hart, Walter Heller, Patrick McNamara, George Romney, George Smathers, Robert Weaver, and Leonard Woodcock.

Part 2 contains meeting minutes, research reports, and newsletters created by the League. Additionally, the collection holds correspondence between other nonprofit organizations and Michigan’s legislators. There are also documents about the formation of specific programs, and informational materials handed out to Michigan citizens.

United Community Services Budget Department Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:05:48 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Budget Department was responsible for reviewing budget requests from agencies, making an annual proposal for funds to the United Foundation, and allocating funds to individual agencies associated with UCS.

The United Community Services Budget Department Records consist mostly of reports from agencies to the UCS Central Budget Committee and reports from UCS to the United Foundation. The collection also contains some minutes from the budget committees of UCS predecessor organizations and statistical information detailing historical allocations to participating agencies.

United Community Services Communications Department Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:29:47 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Communications Department, previously known as the Public Relations Department, was responsible for promoting UCS and member agency activities to the public, through press releases, newspaper, radio, and television advertisements, promotional brochures, and other advertising campaigns. The department also counseled other UCS departments and member agencies on their promotional campaigns.

The United Community Services Communications Department Records consist of correspondence, reports, press releases, promotional brochures, and newspaper clippings related to the publicity efforts of UCS. The collection documents the promotional strategies used by UCS to promote its activities, seek volunteers, solicit funds, and increase public knowledge of UCS and its member agencies. The collection also contains information pertaining to internal UCS administrative functions, including the UCS Assembly nominating committee and the organization’s annual meetings.

United Community Services Executive Office Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:24:57 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Executive Office oversaw the various departments within UCS, and was headed by the Executive Vice President, who was the managing director of the organization.

The United Community Services Executive Office Records consist of materials from the tenure of three Executive Vice Presidents: Richard Huegli, John MacInnes, and Geneva Williams. The collection demonstrates the administrative functions of UCS, including correspondence with the directors of other UCS departments, correspondence concerning social welfare agencies, minutes documenting the proceedings of UCS committees, reports concerning UCS programs and special projects, and budgetary proposals to the United Foundation. The collection also contains some photographs of UCS leadership and of the founders of the Detroit Community Union.

United Community Services Community Information Service Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:37:43 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Community Information Service (CIS) Department, formerly known as the Central Services Department, was established to assist the community in making more effective use of health, welfare, and recreational resources. It served as a central source for authentic information to direct members of the community to relevant social service agencies, by the use of telephone, correspondence, or in person visits. The department also published social service resource directories and oversaw the Central Volunteer Bureau. Funding for the CIS came from the United Foundation’s annual Tribute Fund Campaign.

The United Community Services Community Information Service Records consist of correspondence, minutes, reports and scrapbooks from CIS and its precursor, the Central Services Department. The materials demonstrate the functions of the CIS, including its efforts to connect members of the community with social service resources, its centralized administration of UCS’ volunteer efforts, and its involvement in Tribute Fund campaigning. The collection also contains statistical data about the services provided by participating UCS agencies, mostly in the Social Statistics Project series.

United Community Services Research Department Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:41:26 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Research Department was responsible for analyzing and evaluating information about community conditions to aid other UCS departments in determining their programs and policies. The department collected statistical data regarding population trends, land use, agency services, and other areas related to the overall functions of UCS.

The United Community Services Research Department Records consists of reports and statistical data, mostly related to the services of UCS agencies. The reports contain information regarding agencies that fell under the UCS umbrella, including the names and locations of agencies, the types of services they provided, and the amount of certain services provided to members of the community. The collection also contains reports related to special projects undertaken by UCS, including the Harper-Gratiot Multi-Service Center, and statistics relating to UCS’ participation in the United States Children’s Bureau Social Statistics Project. In addition to reports and statistics, the collection also contains some correspondence, mostly related to Research Department Director James H. Norton, detailing the administrative functions of the Research Department.

United Community Services Special Programs Department Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:47:16 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Special Programs Department oversaw UCS program initiatives and programs that were not necessarily related to other existing UCS departments or which were not permanent additions to UCS programs, such as temporary initiatives and special summer programs. The Special Programs Department consisted of, at various times, the Metropolitan Camp Council, the Volunteer Action Center, the Metropolitan Detroit Coalition for Blood Pressure Control, the Summer Programs department, and unemployment and work experience projects.

The United Community Services Special Programs Department Records consist mostly of correspondence, minutes, and reports related to the Metropolitan Camp Council and general campership initiatives, in addition to information regarding special summer programs. Included in the collection are materials from participating camp agencies, such as the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls, as well as materials from UCS administrative committees.

United Community Services Board of Directors Minutes

drice — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 13:44:32 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Board of Directors was the central governing body of UCS, and oversaw the administration and operation of the organization and its component departments. Members of the Board of Directors were responsible for determining the programs, policies, and organization of UCS.

The United Community Services Board of Directors Minutes collection consists of minutes from the meetings of the Board of Directors of UCS, the United Way Community Services, and its predecessors including the Associated Charities of Detroit, the Detroit Community Union, and the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit. It also contains meeting minutes from the Board of Directors of several of the fundraising organizations associated with UCS throughout its history, including the predecessors of the United Foundation: the Detroit Patriotic Fund, the Detroit Community Fund, the War Chest of Metropolitan Detroit, and the Community Chest. The materials in the collection demonstrate the activities of the governing bodies of those organizations, and contain information detailing their administrative functions including the decision making process behind proposed initiatives, programs, agencies, and mergers.

United Community Services Records

drice — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:27:17 -0400

United Community Services, operated in Detroit since 1878 under various names, was organized by civic leaders to coordinate the work of different charitable institutions in the area, and raise funds for community welfare needs. Gradually, it became a clearinghouse for the investigation and referral of social service cases as well as an advocate for social and health care reform. The records of the UCS reflect the concerns of professional social workers, the plight of the poor in late nineteenth and early twentieth century Detroit, and the community's attempts to improve their condition through the work of public and private social welfare agencies.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan Scrapbook Collection

kschmeling — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:24:16 -0500

Walter Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations that had traditionally combined fund raising efforts. The goal of the United Foundation was to further centralize those efforts, and to generate mass fund raising campaigns such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, at which time it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect it’s associated with the national United Way. It was known as such until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, at which point it became known as the United Way Community Services until a final merger with the United Way of Oakland County returned it once more to the title of United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

This collection consists of nineteen scrapbooks from the early years of the United Foundation and it’s predecessor, the Detroit Community Chest. The bulk of the included material consists of forms and correspondence utilized during fund raising campaigns. Other publicity materials are also included, however, including materials from the Community Chest’s Women’s Committee, newspaper advertising, street and car signs, and posters. Of particular note is a large array of fashion advertising from the 1940s, featuring the “red feather campaign” stamp, as well as a variety of wartime posters featuring appeals for donations to both soldiers and the civilians of various war-torn regions.

Welfare Employees Union Records

drice — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:00:26 -0500

Subjects include: Michigan Civil Service Commission employees; welfare rights; welfare reform; Detroit, Wayne Co. and Michigan welfare agencies

Westside Mothers Records

drice — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 15:36:13 -0400

Westside Mothers is a welfare rights organization located in Detroit, Michigan. It was founded by its coordinator, Selma Goode, in December 1965, and advocates for people who receive public assistance, such as food stamps, Medicaid, childcare, Supplemental Security Income, and disability. Westside Mothers works with various local, state, and national welfare rights organizations to aid welfare recipients in receiving sufficient benefits and in protecting their civil liberties. The organization holds meetings, organizes rallies, contacts legislators, and provides legal defense at court hearings in its efforts to protect the rights of welfare recipients in Detroit and Michigan.

The Westside Mothers Records collection contains material related to the Westside Mothers and affiliated welfare rights organizations, such as the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization (MWRO) and the National Welfare Rights Organization (NWRO). Material included in the collection consists mostly of paper records documenting the administrative functions of the Westside Mothers, MWRO, and NWRO, including meetings, rallies, conferences, special committees, and legal efforts. Also included are correspondence between Selma Goode and various welfare rights organizations, religious and community organizations, and government agencies. The collection also contains some photographic prints and ephemera.

Subject Focus: Poverty and Charity in Turn-of-the-Century Detroit

teller — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:39:53 -0500

In the late 19th century Detroit’s industrial base and burgeoning prosperity quickly attracted immigrants from across the country and around the world, increasing the city’s population six-fold between 1860 and 1900. While the strong and industrious were able to find steady work, the city proved to be harsh to ill or injured laborers, the elderly and widowed, and others for whom life had not been kind. Numerous public and private social service organizations and charities formed to serve the needs of the growing number of Detroit residents living in poverty. read more »