Center on the Family
WELCOME
The Center On the Family, established in the late 1990s, is
the gateway to positive living for students and their
families. This unique structure is all about family - the TSU
family and the constituents it serves. The Center On The Family
takes seriously the University's "special purpose designation" by
providing high-quality programs and projects that support
TSU’s recruitment efforts leading toward graduation. The
Center focuses on: "Planting Seeds for Success and Educating for
Life: Helping Families to Overcome Identified Barriers that may
impede Productive Living."
Primary Purpose
- Serve as an outreach center for the education and positive
development of children, youth and families.
- Serve as a site for the development and dissemination of
instructional and self-help materials.
- Act as a linkage/networking vehicle between the university
and the community.
- Conduct research and generate data on families and
children.
Aging & Intergenerational
Resources
The program's objective is to improve the quality of life for
the elderly through providing comprehensive education and training;
information and referral services. The goal is to mobilize the
efforts of the campus and the community in identifying and linking
existing resources to form a comprehensive, intergenerational,
community-based delivery system for an aging society. Texas
Southern University’s Aging & Intergenerational Resources
is positioned as a training ground for students aspiring to pursue
careers in any aspect of gerontology.
For more information contact: Lena Bean 713
313-7635
Ms Gill’s Story
“I am living this moment by the
Grace of God”
The statement was made by one of the most supportive members
of the Aging and Intergenerational Resources program, Christine
Cartwright. Ms. Cartwright was born May 20, 1913, in
Huffsmith, Texas, the third child of Charlie and Vicey
Cartwright.
Ms. Cartwright’s family moved to Houston in 1928, in
order to have more opportunities for the family. She attended
Gregory Elementary School. During the time Ms. Cartwright
attended Gregory Elementary School, all grade levels were in one
class, thereby allowing Ms. Cartwright to learn upper level course
material. In 1932, she graduated from Booker T. Washington
High School and went straight to work. She worked for a few
years as a cook, until World War II in 1941 when soldiers were
needed. The Army gave Ms. Cartwright an opportunity to receive
a free education if she enlisted in the army. She enlisted and
learned how to drive a MD38 (supply truck). In 1945, she went
to Madam CJ Walker Beauty College to become a license
Cosmetologist. September 1946 she started college at Houston
College for Negroes (now Jack Yates High School). The next year
Texas Southern University was founded. The Fairchild building was
the first building constructed at Texas Southern University. Ms.
Cartwright remembers all the University's activities (school,
lunch, gym, etc…) which occurred in one building, the
Fairchild Building. She graduated from TSU in 1949 with a
major in Business Administration and a minor in English. She was in
the first graduating class of Texas Southern University. On
November 18, 1951, Ms. Cartwright married Wellington Gill in
Houston, Texas. While in Austin, she briefly attended Huston-
Tillotson College pursuing a master’s degree in
education. She decided that teaching was her passion and
taught at Highland Heights Elementary (Houston Independent School
District) for 27 years. Ms Gill was a dedicated volunteer
at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and was a dedicated
member of her church and community. In January 2008, at the
age of 94, Ms. Gill passed away quietly in her home.
Brian Moses, ExxonMobil Community Summer
Intern
Crisis Intervention Unit
Counseling activities are available for all students to assist
with personal crisis which may be detrimental to successful
completion of university requirements and graduation. Consultation
and assessment, time limited counseling, self-help resources and
appropriate referrals are available to TSU students who are in
pursuit of academic and personal goals.
Individual Counseling:
- Addressing personal or social problems that interfere with
learning and/or class attendance;
- Identifying learning strategies such as organization
techniques and specific study skills; or
- Connecting with tutoring activities, as needed.
Educational Workshops
Workshops are offered throughout the year on stress
management, relationship issues, communication skills, time
management, study skills, test anxiety, and other issues.
Monthly parent educational workshops are held to address
various parenting issues.
For more information contact: Vickie Johnson 713
313-7798
Open Access Computer
Laboratory
PLEASE SIGN IN WHEN YOU ENTER THE COMPUTER
LAB!!!
The Computer Laboratory is available to both TSU students and
the University's community residents. The Computer Laboratory is
equipped with up-to-date desktop computers, an electric typewriter,
a photocopy machine, a fax machine and an array of office
equipment.
For more information contact: Dale Booth 713 313-7390 or
Demetra Minor 713 313-7870
The Parent-Child Learning
Laboratory
The Parent-Child Learning Laboratory is a four-star childcare
facility that places emphasis on strengthening families'
childrearing capabilities and practices through a stimulating and
caring environment. The Laboratory accepts children 2 weeks to 36
months old and helps to facilitate parents' and children's learning
and growing together in an enriched setting. In addition, the Lab's
Counselor offers education sessions for the parents. The Learning
Laboratory fulfills more than just a childcare function; it acts as
an umbrella program for many Center services and programs.
Each child is introduced to an academic curriculum designed to
build their cognitive skills and enhance their development. Special
attention is always given to the individual circumstances,
differences and needs of the children. Children are taught math and
science skills, language arts, fine arts, health and safety, and
environmental studies. Toddlers are given an additional benefit -
their education is supplemented by computer training and
introduction to Spanish. Additionally, infants and toddlers are
provided balanced, nutritional meals throughout the day. The meal
plan includes breakfast, lunch and nutritional snacks.
Weekly Child Care Rates
Infants - $100.45
Toddlers- $85.65
Hours of Operation
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
For more information contact: Mary
Hawkins, Co-Coordinator or Eva Wooten, Co-Coordinator 713
313-7897
“Center On the Family has a caring, loving
environment. This has created a sense of nurturing for our
children, which is truly essential in the growth of child
development.”
-Lawrence & Angel Johnson
W.R. BANKS CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LABORATORY
The W.R. Banks Child Development Laboratory provides a nurturing
atmosphere for 3- and 4-year old children of students and families
in the Houston metropolitan area. The Laboratory also serves
as a clinical teaching and observation facility. At the Banks
Laboratory, positive learning occurs by providing age appropriate
teaching materials and instructional support to each child so they
can develop cognitive and social skills and positive attitudes in a
warm, stimulating environment. In its role as a model-teaching
site, the lab accepts students enrolled in human services –
related courses.
Hours of operation 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday
– Friday
Interested parents are invited to visit the Banks Lab. Between
the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday by
appointment only.
For more information contact: Diann
Atkinson-Bowden 713 313-7146
Work Study Opportunities
Program
The Center serves as a site for work-study students to gain
employment experiences for successful entry into the world of
work.
For more information contact: Demetra Minor 713
313-7870
