Phillips, Wilbur Carey

Wilbur Carey Phillips was born March 10, 1880, in Nunda, New York, and educated at Colgate Academy and Harvard University, graduating from the latter in 1904. He worked as secretary of the New York Milk Committee, 1907-1911 and as secretary of the Milwaukee Child Welfare Commission, 1911-1912. In both positions he concentrated on improving child health by securing clean milk and educating mothers in the principles of child hygiene. Years later his concept of an "educational health center" was cited in VISTA publications.

Drawing on his experience in these two positions, he began to develop a concept of community organization that he called the "social unit plan." His plan, completed in 1914, envisioned a democratic neighborhood structure through which local residents could participate directly in the control of community affairs without sacrificing any of the advantages of technical expertise. With the support of individuals such as Herbert Croly, Dr. Richard Cabot, and Dr. S. S. Goldwater, he established the National Social Unit Organization (NSUO) with himself as executive director. The NSUO decided to sponsor a three-year demonstration project and selected Cincinnati as the site for the experiment. Phillips headed the Mohawk-Brighton Social Unit Organization in a 31-block area of the city from 1917-1920. Despite its success in improving neighborhood health care, the city withdrew its support and the project was terminated.

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