Cambridge sketches
Estelle M. H. Merrill, Ed.

A District Nurse was secured from the Boston Instructive District Nursing Association two years ago, and now visits, under the superintendence of two of its directors, the homes of those sick people who for any reason cannot go to the hospital for the professional care they need.

The Avon Place Home became a corporation in 1874, thanks chiefly to the liberality of Mr. James Huntington who was the first efficient friend, if by no means the only one, whom the homeless children of Cambridge have had. This institution has been known as the Avon Home since it took possession, in December, 1891, of the commodious house which was built for it on Mt. Auburn street and which now offers as wholesome a substitute for a paternal home as any child could have who has been deprived by sickness, death or crime of the genuine kind. The home was founded for “children found destitute within the limits of Cambridge,” and has always shown a generous spirit in its efforts to meet the demands put upon it by the absence from its constitution and by-laws of closely drawn restrictions of class, age, race or sex. About forty children are sheltered here. They attend the public schools and church services and in other ways get training-somewhat exceptional in “Homes” --which is calculated to make independent, self-respecting citizens of them.

The Home of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is located in Cambridge, though the city, as the name of the society indicates, is in no way responsible for its support. The inmates are children who come into the custody of the society through the courts of the state and are supposed to be only temporarily lodged there as a matter of convenience pending permanent settlement of their careers.