We Are One
Reflections by Barbara McGettigan, President
On April 12th, our membership voted to merge
the Auxiliary and the Junior Auxiliary. Bylaws were approved
May 18th. The merger means we are one organization.
A review of our history shows that unification is neither
new nor surprising. Several pervious branching and combining
of Auxiliary and Junior groups have occurred. In 1907, our
foundresses became the Board of Directors of Catholic Settlement
and Humane Bureau, which was established to respond to the
needs of mothers and children left destitute by the Fire and
Quake. The name of the Bureau was changed several years later
to Little Children's Aid. the original Board of Directors,
needing to strengthen their efforts, recruited students and
graduates and established, in 1911, the "Little Board".
The Little Board, eventually referred to as "The Auxiliary,"
expanded into a large and vital group, and, in 1939, merged
with the original Board. In 1949 another formation, a Junior
Auxiliary, was approved.
Now, sixty two years later, it seems a natural
evolution that both auxiliaries reunite. We are once again
simply "Little Children's Aid", a merged membership
of women with tremendous dedication, energy and commitment
to our mission.
Althought LCA orginiated in response to the events and turmoil
left by the 1906 Quake and Fire, our mission, to respond to
people in our community who are devasted by life's events
and environmental onslaughts, continues. Whether epidemics,
wars, drugs, financial turmoil or severe unemployment, situational
stressors lead to homelessness and crisis for children and
families. Now as in 1907, let us open our hearts, minds, and
resources to help needy children and families, served by Catholic
Charities CYO.
