Kent County Family Life Council records
Scope and Contents
The Kent County Family Life Council Records contains correspondences, brochures, bulletins, catalogs, certificates, financial records, journal and magazine articles, manuals, memoranda, minutes, news releases, newsletters, newspaper clippings, notes, pamphlets, papers, reports, scrapbook, speeches, yearbooks, miscellaneous material, and photographs of the organization. The group’s various interest areas included divorce, community services for youth, anti social gangs and juvenile delinquency.
Dates
- 1948-1983
Biographical / Historical
The Kent County Family Life Council was organized in 1947 as the Marriage Education Council, as part of a nationwide movement to teach family living skills to adolescents. A group of interested citizens in cooperation with the Home Economics department of the Grand Rapids Board of Education began the local movements with membership from social and health agencies, churches, parent and teacher organizations and the home economics teachers. The Council’s initial purpose was exploring the need for implementing a home and family life course in the local high schools.
Council bylaws were adopted March 20, 1950, with the stated purpose of: “To make available educational opportunities for youth, young adults and others in the field of marriage preparation, marital and family adjustments; to provide better education for home and family living.” Membership was to be on either an individual or organizational basis.
In 1955, Home and Family Living classes were included in the school curricula as a result. In 1955, a reorganization of the council resulted in a new name: the Family Life Council of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Still later it was renamed the Kent County Family Life Council. The Council was discontinued after the luncheon meeting on May 13, 1983.
Extent
2.42 Linear Feet (Five boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Kent County Family Life Council promoted a strong family life by providing education opportunities for youth regarding home and family living. In 1955, home and family living classes were included in the school curricula as a result of their efforts. The organization closed on May 13, 1983 due to declining participation. Holdings document the history and activities of the council and provide data about social issues or topics such as divorce and services for youth.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Robert Blett and Kent County Family Life Council, accession number 1986.159
Picture Index - People (045-3-60)
Bull, Vernon
Hess, Mrs. Otto
Hoekstra, Joan
Johnson, Timothy Jr.
Jubb, Ruth M.
Meyer, Mrs. George
Parker, Mrs. James C.
Ruel, Myrtle
Ritsema, Carolyn
Starr, John G.
White, Mark F.
PHOTOGRAPHIC INDEX
1 "Starts New Season"; Promoting happy harmonious family life is the work of these four people, all officers of Kent County Family Life Council. Left to right: Mrs. Edward A. Benson, Secretary; Theodore B. Lascari, a director; Ruth M. Jubb, president; and Mrs. James D. Wells, treasurer.
2 1976, FLC April Speaker. (Color; turning)
3 FLC April Speaker, 1976.
4 Myrtle Reul, Asst. Professor at Michigan State University, College of Business & Public Service, Addressed the Council, 1961.
5 Left to Right: Mrs. Herman Beute, Mrs. Carol Nelson, Dr. James Bunnell, Sheriff Arnold Pigorsh, February 1963. Map Family Life Program.
6-7 Left to Right: Mark White, Joan Hoekstra, Rev. ? ? O'Connor?.
8 Left to Right: Carol Krammer, Mark White.
9 Left to Right: ?, Carolyn Ritsema, Carol Kramer.
10 Left to Right: ?, Carolyn Ritsema, Carol Kramer
11 Left to Right: Carolyn Ritsema, Ray Ritsema.
12 Left to Right: Emery Freeman presenting award to Rev. O'Connor?
13 Crowd in forground with Freeman & O'Connor getting their picture taken in the background. Mrs. Herman Beute(Mildred) facing the camera with the visible photographer behind her.
14 Group image, with crowd in foreground, speaker at microphone, at man standing behind the head table.
15 President 1961-1962, Donald Smallagan; President Elect, Mrs. Vernon Bull
16 President John G. Starr, second from right, attorney and past president of the Family Life Council, receives a special award for service to the community. Tim Johnson Jr., Awards Chairman for the Council, presents Starr a certificate similar to those received by Miss Ruth M. Jubb, Coordinator for health education for the Grand Rapids Board of Education and also a past president and right, Mrs. Hugh Brown Jr., secretary, 1961.
17 Mrs. John H. Hess, left, Mrs. James C. Parker, president of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, and Mrs. George Meyer, retiring president of the Council, receive congratulations from Timothy Johnson, chairman of the Councils Awards Committee, April 18, 1961.
18 Mark White, Joan Hoekstra, Rev. O'Connor? (color snapshot)
19 Unidentified African American woman standing in front of Alexander Calder lithograph of La Grande Vitesse.
- Title
- Finding aid for the Kent County Family Life Council records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Bruce Lee Siebers
- Date
- April 1987
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497
localhis@grpl.org