Dispossessed
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GIFTS FOR THE DISPOSSESSED
IN THE UNITED STATES
There are 110,000 people, two thirds of them American citi-
zens, living in forced residence in ten new barracks-cities in seven
of our western states. These are the people of Japanese ancestry
who were moved from their homes in California, Oregon and Wash-
ington last spring and were crowded within enclosures with only
the basic necessities. They have met this trial with courage and
patience.
The War Relocation Authority is now developing and carrying
out plans for relocation. As the term `relocation' implies, they are
to be resettled into American life. But this takes time.
While our fellow Americans and also those who are not citizens
(many of whom would be, had our laws permitted it) are in the
Relocation Centers, there are things we can do to make life less
barren for them. ;
SEEDS
Beauty is hard to find except in the distant mountains or when
the desert blooms. Many of these people are wonderful gardeners.
They will appreciate receiving flower seeds.
ATHLETIC SUPPLIES AND
NURSERY SCHOOL EQUIPMENT
These necessities for the healthful occupation of the young
are not provided by the Centers.
Things needed are:
Athletic equipment - footballs, soccer balls, basketballs,
football outfits, basketball cages, baseballs, gloves, bats.
Toys - for girls and boys of all ages.
Games - ping-pong, table games.
Nursery school - materials and equipment.
Good books - for children, adolescents and adults.
NOTE: Second-hand toys, materials, athletic equipment and books are as
acceptable as new ones, if in good condition.
GIFTS FOR BABIES
Individual gifts may be sent to expectant mothers and new
babies. Although many of these babies can be adequately pre-
pared for, every mother enjoys receiving gifts for her new child,
If you would like to send a gift directly to an individual, the Clothing
Committee, American Friends Service Committee, 20 South 12th
Street, Philadelphia, can supply you with the name and address of
a prospective mother or a new baby.
Complete layettes are needed in the Centers for a few of the
babies whose parents through circumstances beyond their control
cannot afford to prepare for their arrival. Clothing to help care
for this need is sent by the AFSC to the social agency or hospital
in each Center. If you would like to contribute a layette to meet
this need, mail it to one of the AFSC Storerooms listed on the last
page of this leaflet. Your gifts will be forwarded to a Center.
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
20 South Twelfth Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
BRANCHES
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BRANCH
544 East Orange Grove Avenue
Pasadena, California
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BRANCH CHICAGO BRANCH
1830 Sutter Street Room 1010
San Francisco, California 189 West Madison Street
Chicago, Illinois
,
HOUSEFURNISHINGS
As many as seven people are living in one barrack unit, twenty
by twenty-four feet. Each person has a cot or steel bed, the only
furniture provided. Certain pieces of furniture which would help
make the unit more comfortable are:
Folding tables, card tables and other small tables.
Table and wall lamps with extension cords.
Folding chairs, camp chairs, card table chairs, and other
chairs which need little storage space.
Privacy is impossible where several people live in an area
twenty by twenty-four feet. The single room must serve the func-
tion of bedroom, study, and living room for all the occupants.
Meals and toilet facilities are provided elsewhere.
Curtains of cretonne or other gay material hung across
the room would divide it into two or three sections.
These should measure approximately six to seven feet
finished length, with hems at top and bottom. Bits of
color can help make the barracks brighter and more
homelike. Each unit has two to five windows, most of
which are about twenty-six inches in width and_ thirty
inches in length. The windows are rather large common
sash windows made to slide.
Pillows and couch covers would help transform a cot into
a couch. A suggestion: adopt a unit - make curtains for
windows and room divisions of the same or harmonizing
materials. Cover two or more sofa pillows. Send curtain
rods for windows if you can.
OTHER JAPANESE AMERICAN PROGRAMS
The American Friends Service Committee is cooperating with the National
Japanese American Student Relocation Council, 1201 Chestnut Street, Philadel-
phia, Pa., in its effort to find colleges in the East and Middle West where Ameri-
can students of Japanese ancestry may continue their college education. By
April |, 1943, this Council had found opportunities for more than 1000 students
to continue their education.
The War Relocation Authority is interested in resettling people from the
Relocation Centers. This work is now under way. Although very few have been
resettled to date, it is hoped that many will be in new homes before the end of
the year. In Chicago and Cincinnati, Quaker hostels have been established
which provide hospitality for the evacuees while they are seeking employ-
ment. This enables the evacuees and the prospective employers to meet and
to become acquainted before they enter into an employee-employer relation-
ship.
SHIPPING DIRECTIONS
Personal gifts for individual mothers and babies: Write to Clothing Com-
mittee, American Friends Service Committee, 20 South 2th Street, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, for the name and address of a mother. Send gifts directly to
her.
Large articles (tables, chairs, lamps, athletic equipment) should be sent
directly to a Relocation Center. Write Clothing Committee, American Friends
Service Committee, 20 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, Pa., for the name and
address of a Relocation Center.
Other gifts please send prepaid to one of the AFSC addresses listed
below:
AFSC Storeroom Friends Meeting House
1515 Cherry Street 2151 Vine Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Berkeley, California
AFSC Storeroom Friends Center
501 North Raymond Ave. 3959 - 15th Avenue, North East
Pasadena, California Seattle, Washington
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Photographs by courtesy of War Relocation Authority
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No. 229 5M 6-43
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