THE CRUSADE of Rescue has opened a multi-purpose centre in St Charles Square, Ladbroke Grove, London to house a new project of assistance For single parents and old people as they are linked to problem family situations.
The Crusade of Rescue is a member of the Catholic Child Welfare Council and the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations.
It provides child care services in the Archdiocese of Westminster and the Diocese of Brentwood, for children deprived of family life. The area in which it operates covers London north of the Thames. Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Essex.
Foster care and boarding are two methods of care for deprived children. Temporary placements are always in great need for babies waiting until suitable adopters are ready. Permanent placement is needed for others.
Crusaders look for foster homes not only for the children in their own care but also for some Catholic children in the care of the local authority.
Residential care is provided for the children in modern family group homes, short-stay units, hostels etc. Some of these are owned, financed and managed by the Crusade but independent establishments are also used and the Crusade pays the necessary fees. The Crusade has been able to place numbers of children for adoption. Not only infants but also mixed-race, and handicapped children have been placed.
I here is also a service which finds residential care in flatlets and mother and baby homes, attached to independent convents. These are used by pregnant, unsupported mothers both before and after confinement.
Community social work via parish priests is being extended and projects are underway in Poplar and Stevenage. The Crusade aims to tackle the problems presented by family breakdowns, single parent families and loneliness and isolation in those areas.
The Crusade offers the services of its child guidance clinic to parents and children of any religious denomination or none. Children, on an out-patient basis are referred to the clinic in a variety of ways: through their schools, social workers or family doctors. They are offered diagnosis and treatment for emotional, behavioural and personality disorders.
A consultation service is run from the clinic for professionals working in the area such as teachers, social workers, education welfare officers, health visitors and day nursery staff.