{"value"=>"<p>This series contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, and printed matter. The Committee on Recreation files highlight one of the People's Institute greatest accomplishments, the Festival and Pageant of Nations (June 1916). Hundreds of people celebrated the heritage of the immigrant communities -Irish, Slavic, Jewish, and Italian- living on the Lower East Side of New York City .</p> <p>In 1915, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment of New York City appointed a committee on recreation. The objective of this committee was to improve the recreation and playground facilities of New York City. The People's Institute, through its Committee of Leisure, contributed to the city's efforts.</p> <p>In 1918, the Institute organized the Summer Health School at P.S. 40. This was an experimental program that was meant to improve the health of undernourished children through the education of their parents.</p> <p>Correspondence, programs, reports, financial papers, legal papers, and printed matter reflect the work of the Training School for Community Center Workers, 1913-1919. The School, located at 70 Fifth Avenue, was affiliated with the People's Institute. John Collier was its Staff Director for the period covered by the records in this series. A report to the Trustees of the Training School by John Collier (November 14, 1918) states the Training School's two objectives: to recruit and train leaders for community work and to popularize and develop the community movement itself. The Training School offered a one-year course in professional work in Community Centers, Social Settlements, Public Employment, and Child Welfare Services. Its reports reflect the People's Institute's focus on the Americanization of immigrants.</p>"}