Established in 1938 by the New York Monthly Meetings at the 20th Street meeting house, the New York Friends Center was initially created to provide a meeting place for Quakers and to serve as a Quaker information and reception center in New York City. Sponsorship of service projects began in the 1940's. Housing and community projects included an international visitors program and hostel, sponsoring alternative service for conscientious objectors, social rehabilitation through counseling and job placement of women prisoners, assisting WWII refugees through the monthly Tuesday Luncheon Clubs (1942-1961) and providing hospital visitors. In 1955 the New York Friends Center joined with the Hiroshima Peace Center Association to sponsor the travel to New York City and reconstructive surgery for twenty five Japanese girls who had been injured in the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Known as the "Hiroshima Maidens," the young women stayed intially at Pendle Hill School, Wallingford, PA and then with Quaker families during the year-long recuperation.
From the description of Records, 1938-1964. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 51065830
