The values of private association and self-help through individual effort have been a compelling aspect of the American philosophy. Reaffirming Americanism was not the only reason that immigrant or minority groups created mutual aid or self-help societies, however, since immediate economic and social goals were significant motivations for such…

These materials provide documents related to the efforts of African, Jewish, Hispanic, and Asian Americans to help themselves and improve their communities through mutual assistance and self-help groups. These materials are designed for teachers of high school history. The study of self-help groups for minorities is a useful part of U.S. history…