Baker's Dozen Opens:
School of Social Work Extends Its Service to the Community

Pictured (l. to r.)
Dean Richard English, Baker's Dozen members Ruth Spencer, Carol H. Paris, and Malkia Roberts, interim Provost Don Coleman, and Dr. Clarence Brown

The School of Social Work dedicated its Family and Community Resource and Research Center in the newly-renovated Baker's Dozen building, 1511 4th St. NW, on April 19 with a ribbon-cutting and open house.

The historic significance of the event was recognized by the presence of Carol H. Paris, Malkia Roberts and Ruth Spencer, three of the original members of the Baker's Dozen Inc., an assembly of women responsible for pulling together their resources and energy to purchase a building dedicated to addressing juvenile delinquency in the mid-1900s.

"We are honored by your presence," said Dean Richard English in his opening remarks. "It makes this a very, very special occasion for us.

"This center will build on the past resourcefulness, accomplishments and philosophy of a group of women volunteers who had a tremendous sense of community service and purpose," he said. "But more importantly, it will house programs and services consistent with Howard University's Strategic Framework for Action II, which calls for enhancing national and community service."

"I'm just delighted I have lived long enough to see this done," said Ms. Spencer, who spoke on behalf of the Baker's Dozen. "Thank you for making an old lady young again."

Dr. Clarence Brown, director of the Center, said he was not very optimistic when first introduced to the project because the building was in such poor condition. But he said after learning of the structure's history and intended use, "I realized it wasn't just a building; it was a vision, an idea.

"I've worked on a lot of projects in my career, and this is probably the culmination of all that work," he continued. "I will do all I can to preserve this building for the purposes which it is intended."

Founded in 1944, Bakers' Dozen Inc. was an organization comprising 13 determined African-American women. All members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and many alumnae of the University, they initially began meeting socially once a week as a source of comfort and companionship for one another while their husbands were away fighting in the war. They later decided to commit themselves to actively seeking solutions to the problem of juvenile delinquency, a pervasive issue during that time.

What began as weekly activities on one floor of a settlement house for a small number of area teens, grew to a variety of activities for hundreds of young people on all three floors of the house. The expansion forced them to seek larger and more permanent quarters, which would later be known as the Baker Dozen's Building.

On Nov. 21, 1946, two buildings -- 1509 and 1511 Fourth St. NW -- were purchased but needed major repairs. With $10,000 from Mrs. Henry Alvah Strong, and proceeds from various fund-raisers, including a 1947 Duke Ellington benefit concert, the young women invited bids from local contractors based on the plans for renovation drawn by the eminent architect, Howard H. Mackey.

Not until they found George Dixon did renovations began in July 1950. The formal dedication of the Youth Center was held on Oct. 15, 1950 in Rankin Memorial Chapel. University President Dr. Mordecai W. Johnson gave the dedicatory address. The Open House was held on Oct. 28 and 29.

In 1962, the Howard University Board of Trustees approved plans to merge programs coordinated by the School of Social Work with the Baker's Dozen, Inc. Youth Center, and two years later, the facility was deeded to the University as a gift to the School of Social Work. For nearly two decades, the center sponsored various youth and family activities, clinical practices and research until it closed in 1981.

Today, it stands as the Howard University School of Social Work Family and Community Resource and Research Center, still committed to the city's families and youth.

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