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I he aftermath of San Leandro’s cross-burning. .• titnity:, Webb 'Skcficc is t executive 'director of the Family Service Agency Central Alameda County. She cave the following report to the agency's board of .: directors, at a recent meeting,'cy.fr By EMILY WEBB SHEHEE’; - When the news of the burning of the cross on the lawn of anew resident of the City of San Leandro (the Scales family) was read in the . paper recently, I instructed the agency relations coordinator lo telephone the family to Inquire * whether or not our agency services were needed.' •■. This was a demonstration of our advocacy arid outreach role. I followed up with two homevisits. The family was so upset they had their telephone number changed... . •, • .' Many citizens of San Leandro were also upset at this act of bigotry which does not reflect the thinking of every San Leandran, although there have been such accusations even before this ugly incident. Many people telephoned and wrote letters to extend a helping hand to this family. •: •* . •• Mrs. Scales reported Ihnt her greatest concern is for the safety of her children/She now takes the boy, 8 years old, back and forth to school. She feels this is a'very restricting move on her part but she is reacting to protect him .and satisfy herself that her child Js alright.He is being denied the privilege'of companionship of his playmates who had previously walked to and from school with Idm. The 4-year-old little girl is at home all day with her moth- 1 cr. • •The family is fixing up the exterior of the .properly, II has been greatly improved. They have two dogs who are restricted to the backyard. The family is In the process of pulling up a new fence. Mrs, Scales reported that a neighbor gathered a crew .and pulled out stumps from the yard to get the new fence in.' As an advocate lor I his family, instead of confronting the citizens of this city in the centennial year with this grave injustice to oneswho chase to make this place their home, I cliosc to take positive steps to secure an opportunity for some warm personal Interaction wlih citizens of Ihis community,As the director of this agency and to provide some action for our board and staff members, 1 call upon the citizens of San Leandro to dq somelhiug for the children of this city — start plans for a neighborhood child--rare center and make available a service where people may feel safe knowing that I heir children may be in comfort able, capable surroundings.As an adjunct lo the childcare service, I pro-pa se thai people mobilize their forces and sc I up a babysiUing service on a professional level so Dial people like Mrs. Scales may call upon them and feel secure to leave their children,.! have talked with the director of the service center,which serves as an Information and referral service in Die areas of unemployment and housing, la request that he screen his applicants who request employment Tor babysit ling and homemaker services very carefully so Snn I Janeiro may make amends to the Scales family by. offering adequate child care and protection when needed.Again oil bob air or the Scales family, 1 wish lo thank those citizens of San Leandro who responded so beautifully ia time of Dio crisis. On helm If of the family service agency, we wish lo act In the positive manner of constructive concern, as we arc already shamed enough by the acl being performed in our '‘friendly city.”Let us get busy anti create a ncighborltood cliild-CHre center.
Newspaper Details
Daily Review
Hayward, California, US
Sun, Mar 19, 1972
Page 71
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CA, USA 03 May 2022
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