[Hostels for girls] (draft circulars (2))

              Strand Hostel
BRITISH Y.W.C.A. ADVANCE.
June 24th 1918.
To-day we take possession of 4, Grafton Street, the Blue Triangle International Club which Lady Portsmouth's generosity has made possible; June 25th the Wardour Street Club Committee meets to take over the wider work which the War Department of the Y.W.C.A. has committed to it, viz. not only to have this Club for girls walking about Piccadilly Circus, but to start wherever it is needed in London and elsewhere. Receiving Houses, Hostels or Clubs for any girl who is feeling the fascination of streets full of Soldiers and facing the new problem envolved.
It reminds us old workers of the Conference long ago when we started Time and Talents and Factory Helpers Union for girls of leisure and of labour as new responsibilities for the Y.W.C.A; some were rather shocked at the smart appearance of these two types of girls and there was a feeling that both might spoil the Y.W.C.A.
Now again the call has come to give some better facility in the Association for girls of leisure and of education, a centre in which they will find what they need now when they are doing mens work in Whitehall and Pall Mall, a canteen, comfortable club and emergency beds; a centre from which the Association will draw an army of young workers whose outlook having been changed by war will be ready to put themselves under the Training Department for future work at home and abroad; a centre which will attract girls from overseas who, having done their service here and in future stay in or be drawn to London, will find hospitality and Christian fellowship.
And the Association having been called to serve the girls of each generation cannot escape from this responsibility of the pressure in London of millions of Soldiers from every part of the world, which is attracting to the streets thousands of young girls from all parts of our land who come from excitement, attraction to Soldiers and every patriotic reason. These girls are in grave moral dangers and are ever a menace to the future of the race, it is essential to have Clubs and Hostels to receive and help them as soon as possible; the work of the Wardour Street Club (Leicester Square) is being extended by taking a Receiving House in the Strand itself, a Farm Colony near London and some other Receiving Houses are being called for.
and 22 George St
Emily K