Description
A photograph album from 1935 showing the work of the Child Welfare Clinic, a project of the Los Angeles-based All Nations
Foundation, then one of the largest non-governmental social welfare organizations in Los Angeles. The All Nations Foundation,
founded in 1918, purchased land and buildings and equipped gymnasiums, playgrounds, libraries, and medical clinics in East
Los Angeles for a community where three-fourths of the families were on public assistance. The album also documents a five-year
clinical study funded by an anonymous donor, during which the Child Welfare Clinic prescribed what was likely experimental
"endocrine treatment" to some of the children treated at the Clinic. The album includes photographs showing the children engaged
in activities such as camping, hiking, performances, and play. There are also many images with typed captions explaining the
background of the children and the Clinic's assessment of the child's prospects, along with broad generalizations about the
children based on race and other characteristics. The album is accompanied by two letters addressed to the anonymous donor
who provided financial support for the project.
Background
The All Nations Foundation, in its heyday the largest non-governmental social welfare organization in Los Angeles, was established
in 1918 in an east-central section of the city known as "Eastside." The City Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, under
pastor Bromley Oxnam, established and ran the church settlement, gathering donations, organizing volunteers, buying land and
buildings, and equipping gymnasiums, playgrounds, libraries, and clinics for a community where three-fourths of the families
were on public assistance and where much of the population consisted of immigrants from Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Oxnam
initially developed the physical facilities for All Nations, acquiring a complex of buildings at 810-816-824 E. Sixth Street
just before his resignation from the organization in 1927.
Extent
1 Linear Feet
1 box
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special
Collections at specol@usc.edu. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
Collection stored off-site. Advance notice required for access.