Category: Reform

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA OHIO & INDIANA

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA OHIO & INDIANA (formerly known as Volunteers of America of Northeast Ohio, Inc.), has provided relief for Cleveland's poor since 1896, as part of a national agency organized along quasi-military lines, an American offshoot of the SALVATION ARMY. The Volunteers of America formed in New York City in March 1896.

WADE, EDWARD

WADE, EDWARD (22 Nov. 1802-13 Aug. 1866), lawyer and member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1853-61), was born in W. Springfield, Mass., son of James and Mary Upham Wade. He was educated locally and admitted to the bar in 1827. Wade practiced in Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio and in 1831 became Justice of the Peace for the county for 1 year.

WADSWORTH, HOMER C.

WADSWORTH, HOMER C. (3 Apr. 1913-13 Apr. 1994) spent most of his career in community planning and trust work, including ten years as the director of the CLEVELAND FOUNDATION. Born to Leon K.

WAGNER, MARGARET W.

WAGNER, MARGARET W. (19 Oct. 1892-19 Aug. 1984), innovative director of the BENJAMIN ROSE INSTITUTE for 29 years, was born in Cleveland to financier Frank B. and May Warnock Wagner.

WAYFARERS' LODGE

WAYFARERS' LODGE. See BETHEL UNION.

WEIL, HELEN KAHN

WEIL, HELEN KAHN (3 Jan. 1902-20 Aug. 1992), pioneer in gerontology, introduced innovations at the MONTEFIORE HOME for the aged with her husband Julius (see WEIL, JULIUS), such as the sheltered workshop, which were later modeled nationwide.

WEIL, JULIUS

WEIL, JULIUS (6 Oct. 1902-9 April 1989) spent forty-five years of his life in working with senior citizens in Greater Cleveland. His contributions earned him national and international recognition. Born in Steinsfurt, Germany, to Gustav and Matilda Weil, Julius was educated in Germany, eventually earning his Ph.D in clinical psychology from the University of Munich. On 20 Nov.

WELFARE ASSN. FOR JEWISH CHILDREN

WELFARE ASSN. FOR JEWISH CHILDREN. See JEWISH CHILDREN'S BUREAU.

WELFARE DEPT.

WELFARE DEPT. See CUYAHOGA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

WELFARE FEDERATION

WELFARE FEDERATION. See CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS.

WELFARE/RELIEF

WELFARE/RELIEF. The relief of destitution has been a responsibility of local government since Colonial times. Territorial laws to prevent extreme suffering and death (but not to relieve poverty) existed before Cleveland's founding and settlement. Relief was kept low and unattractive, lest workers be lured into dependency, requiring more taxes from other workers.

WEST SIDE COMMUNITY HOUSE

The WEST SIDE COMMUNITY HOUSE, a settlement house serving Cleveland's near west side which opened in May 1922, has roots in the Methodist Episcopal Deaconness Home. The Women's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church opened the home in Apr. 1890 (inc. Jan. 1892). Located at 1058 E. Madison Ave. (E.

WEST SIDE ECUMENICAL MINISTRY

The WEST SIDE ECUMENICAL MINISTRY, founded in 1966, is dedicated to making the west side a better place to live. This community and service organization serves a multi-cultural constituency through 12 core programs. The ministry is an ecumenical agency where churches from different denominations work together through social development programs.

WESTERN RESERVE CHILD WELFARE COUNCIL

The WESTERN RESERVE CHILD WELFARE COUNCIL (1911-17) represented the first organizational effort to regulate services for CHILDREN AND YOUTH in Cleveland. The council resulted from the Western Reserve Conference on the Care of Neglected and Dependent Children, held on 17-19 November 1910, a year after the White House Conference on Dependent Children.

WESTERN SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY

The WESTERN SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY, the western branch of the American Seaman's Friend Society, organized in Cleveland on 10 Nov. 1830 and was chartered by the Ohio Senate on 9 Mar.

WHITE CHARITABLE TRUST

WHITE CHARITABLE TRUST. See THOMAS H. WHITE CHARITABLE TRUST.

WHITE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES FOUNDATION, INC.

The WHITE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES FOUNDATION, INC., was founded in 1951 by WHITE CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, INC., and the Tappan Co.

WHITE, THOMAS H.

WHITE, THOMAS H. (26 Apr. 1836-22 June 1914), founder of White Sewing Machine Corp., parent company of WHITE MOTOR CO. and Cleveland Automatic Screw Machine Co., was born in Phillipston, Mass. to Betsey Pierce and manufacturer Windsor White. After a common-school education, he devoted himself to mechanical studies.

WHITMAN, SAMUEL

WHITMAN, SAMUEL (4 Dec. 1913 - 6 Dec. 1997) was a social services troubleshooter, committed to improving mental and physical health facilities in Cleveland. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, to Ida Kahn, a homemaker and saleswoman, and Louis Whitman, a cutter in the garment trade.

WILLIAM BINGHAM FOUNDATION

The WILLIAM BINGHAM FOUNDATION was founded in 1955 in Cleveland by Elizabeth Bingham Blossom ( -1970) from the proceeds the estate of her brother, William. Bingham II (1879-1955). Elizabeth Blossom was the daughter of CHARLES. W. BINGHAM and married to DUDLEY S. BLOSSOM.

WILLIAM O. AND GERTRUDE LEWIS FROHRING FOUNDATION, INC.

The WILLIAM O. AND GERTRUDE LEWIS FROHRING FOUNDATION, INC., was established in 1958 (inc. 1963) in Cleveland by chemist Wm. O. Frohring and his wife, Gertrude L. Frohring. The foundation supports health, EDUCATION, and the arts primarily in Geauga, Lake, and Cuyahoga counties.

WILLIAMS, EDWARD MASON

WILLIAMS, EDWARD MASON (9 Nov. 1871-25 July 1936) withdrew from an active business career in midlife in order to increase his involvement in civic affairs, notably as a member of the Cleveland Board of Education. Born in Cleveland, he was the son of Edward P. and Mary Mason Williams.

WILLIAMS, KATHERINE WITHROW

WILLIAMS, KATHERINE WITHROW (12 Aug. 1904-23 Feb. 1994) a leading patron of Cleveland's arts community, was born in Shepardstown, West Virginia, the daughter of Tully and Lalla Reynolds Biays. She and her husband Alfred, who helped found the BRUSH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, came to Cleveland in 1928.

WING, MARIE REMINGTON

WING, MARIE REMINGTON (5 Nov. 1885-27 Dec. 1982), lawyer, feminist, and reformer, was born in Cleveland to federal judge Francis J.

WITT, PETER

WITT, PETER (24 July 1869-20 Oct. 1948), politician and transit expert, was born in Cleveland to Christian and Anna Witt. He attended school through the 5th grade and then worked in a basket factory. He later worked as an iron molder and foundryman. Rebellious and outspoken, Witt took part in union activities and was blacklisted in 1896.