Oberlin Community Welfare Council Records

Collection

Identifier: RG 31-013

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Records of the Oberlin Community Welfare Council date from 1956 to 1976. They consist primarily of annual reports for the years 1958 to 1976, with reports for 1960, 1961, and 1975 missing. The annual reports contain reports of the president, treasurer, caseworker, and various committees. The OCWC records also include a twelve-month report of the information and Referral Office for the year August 1, 1956, to July 31, 1957.

Dates

created: 1956-1976
Other: Date acquired: 07/14/1988

Creator

Oberlin Community Welfare Council (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted

Administrative History

The Oberlin Community Welfare Council (OCWC) was established in 1955 to coordinate, assist, and supplement the public and private welfare services operating in the Oberlin area. The Council was incorporated as a non-profit Ohio corporation. Membership was open to all adult residents of the Oberlin community, to agencies and organizations offering welfare services in Oberlin, and to staff members of welfare agencies and organizations. The general membership elected a twelve member Board of Directors to conduct the business of the Council. Directors were elected for three-year terms on a rotating basis so that only four directors were elected each year. The Board of Directors met annually to elect an Executive Committee consisting of four officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

The Council primarily served as a clearinghouse and community information service for all aspects of welfare and social service resources in the region. It sought to coordinate the activities of existing agencies in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of services and prevent duplication of efforts. As a secondary function, the Council administered the Oberlin Family Emergency Fund, which provided local residents with emergency assistance in the form of food, clothing, and furniture. Other activities included conducting an annual clearinghouse for Christmas giving, doing casework for the Oberlin Salvation Army fund, operating Meals on Wheels and a Senior Citizens Bus Service, and providing funds to send children to summer camp. The Oberlin Community Welfare Council merged with the Oberlin Health Commission in 1977 to form the Oberlin Community Services Council.

Presidents of the Oberlin Community Welfare Council:

1955-1956: Oscar Schettler

1957: Thomas Piraino

1958: Robert Singleton

1959: Robert Thomas

1960: Mildred McEwen

1961: Charlotte Shannon

1962-1965: Edward W. Jones

1966: Ella Thompson

1967: Elizabeth Martin

1968: Dorothy Holbrook

1969: Louise Kulka

1970-1972: Shirley Shubert

1973: Geraldine Donaldson

1974-1975: Dorothy Holbrook

1976: Jeanne C. Doneghy

Note written by Lisa Pruitt.

Extent

3.00 folders

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

Upon its creation in 1977, the Oberlin Community Services Council acquired the records of the Oberlin Community Welfare Council. The Services Council subsequently donated those records to the Oberlin College Archives in July 1988.