Research

Scope and Content Note

This series contains correspondence relating to the organization and coordination of local volunteer agencies in community services. Through correspondence with the local war councils and volunteer agencies the Office of Civilian Mobilization (OCM) promoted recreation activities as they related to preventing of juvenile delinquency and maintaining morale. It also encouraged local agencies to recruit women to work in defense industries and agriculture, and promoted child care for those who needed the service. The OCM also promoted pre-induction activities (such as award ceremonies, community support parties, and counseling) to help young men make the transition from civilian to soldier.

Topics covered include recreation, child care, nursing recruitment, women in the work force, salvage collection, pre-induction of soldiers, and other topics relating to the support of home front activities. Also found in this series are newsletters from county volunteer agencies relating their activities in these areas. Frequently, lists of county committee members detailing names and positions within the local agency are found.

The OCM also disseminated information on home front activities by providing pamphlets on salvage, food preservation, production, the "Don't Travel" campaign, pre-induction activities, nursing recruitment, and recreation. Requests and responses for this information is found within the correspondence.