ABSTRACT
The social service agencies of the country constitute a vast and far-flung institution, with scores of thousands of workers, with millions of case records, and with a highly specialized technique and a voluminous literature—all supported by taxes and contributions. Through school and recreation and through living in a helpful, friendly, self-respecting community, children are spurred to surmounting such shortcomings and to becoming normal citizens, especially if someone will believe in them. In large cities there are specialized, experienced workers to deal with many phases of trouble. In a small community, unless it is a suburb, there is no such abundance of professional skill, though the occurrence of county-wide health service is increasing. A small community may present the best or the worst conditions for dealing with juvenile delinquency. Members of a community can turn welfare work into mutual helpfulness, and relief into neighborly, friendly sharing of burdens.
