Społeczna działalność Towarzystwa Schronisk św. Stanisława Kostki w Łodzi w latach 1914–1936

The beginnings of eminent initiative of bishop Wincenty Tymieniecki, the first parish priest of the St Stanislaus Kostka cathedral parish, are disappearing into the past. It is astonishing that organization which had been running a dozen or so social institutions, operating for two decades and helping many thousand inhabitants of Lodz, had left so few traces. The Association of Shelters of st Stanislaus Kostka was established in autumn 1914. After its re-registration in 1922 it had been operating up to autumn 1936. The Association’s peak of development was reached in 1917. Then the organization had been running eight schelters, two hostels for children, creche, two hostels for the homeless and school for the deaf and dumb. Furthermore, the Association had been running sewing and shoemaker’s workshop and the one producing headgears. Courses for pre-school teachers were finished in the same year as well. In August 1920 the Management of the Association, facing serious problems regarding balancing the budget of the organization, decided to gradually close down schelters and even hostels, on condition that the budget improved. After 1922 only „Sienkiewiczówka” and III schelter remained and after a while the organization lost its importance and was replaced by other social organizations, mainly by Lodz diocesan „Caritas”. The Association’s activity is an interesting example of civil activation of inhabitants of Lodz, an attempt to overcome social issues tormenting this industrial city. History of activity of the organization shows transformation of the social policy of municipal authorities. The initial civil activity was supported by official authorities on the principles of subsidiarity and it concerned German occupation authorities above all. Along with coming a time when the Republic of Poland had been formed, the attention was reallocated to full control of social institutions and with time municipal authorities started to limit its support. Not only did they seize the role of the creating entity but they also operated their own institutions. That way, civil activity taken up to date, was significantly limited.