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State Home history is given DAC by Tom RoeTom Roe, coordinator of voluntary services at the Corsicana State Home, revealed some pertinent facts about the Home when he addressed members of Louis Gulon Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists recently at Klnsloe House.He began his talk by stating that the Home had been designated an historical spot with appropriate ceremonies on June 11 this year.The Home, originally known as the State Orphan Asylum, was created by an act of the legislature In 1887. Soon the name was changed to the State Orphan Home in order to impress upon the children the idea that it was a home. In 1957 the Texas Youth Council was created and name was changed to Corsicana State Home.Although 19 Texas towns, including San Antonio andAustin, had tried to get the Home located in their city, Corsicana was selected because interested Corsicana citizens bought and gave more than 228 acres of land to the state for use of the State Orphan Asylum.In the beginning, Roe said there were nine children in the home. But during the Depression years, when many parents simply could not support their children, the population rose to almost 1000 students.Roe said that now the Home has a different type child. Many are not orphans, but do have one parent. Many have been neglected, even abused both physically and mentally, with the result they are actually afraid of adults.No pre-school children are admitted to the facility. At the present time, only two students are in elementary school, theothers being in middle or high school. There Is no prejudice against Home students in the public schools; they are well dressed and well cared for, he stressed.The Home tries to provide a stable atmosphere for Its students and also to encourage a merging with the community.Roe noted that instead of dormitories there are now 12 cottages, each housing 14 students. Each cottage has its own kitchen and laundry facilities. Breakfast Is prepared by a house parent who is on duty in each cottage in three shifts to provide supervision on a 24 hour basis. The evening meal is catered. The cottaged provide a more home like atmosphere than prevailed in the dormitories.There are five supervisors and four caseworkers with master’s degrees In socialwork, Roe said, in noting the studentshavethe finest facilities that money can provide.In spite of all of this, Roe observed there are problems. Some rules are broken and some resort to temper tantrums, Just as are encountered In private homes. In Corsicana State Home, there Is no physical punishment — Just the witholdlng of privileges. A psychiatrist visits the Home every two weeks to assist In coping with the problems as they arise. A computer system is used to evaluate the students.At p.ge 18, the student is an adult. He may leave the Home at this time. However, scholarships are available for higher education. Some students elect to attend Navarro College. These are encouraged to move Into the college dormitories as the first step to adulthood.Roe concluded his remarks by stating students are permitted to spend weekends with approved families, and may have dinner tiwh these families on week nights. The experience of being In a normal family atmosphere and realizing what a good home Is really like can Inspire the student to prepare himself so that later he can provide such a home for himself and his family.Mrs. Charles Rankin, chapter regent, presided for the business. The opening ceremonies included the invocation by Mrs. A. B. Horn, chaplain, and pledge led by Mrs. M. H. Thornton.The address on National Defense was given by Mrs. Clinton M. Copeland, in the absence of Miss Kate Holman, National Defense chairman. Her remarks, excerpted from an article appearing in theColonial Courier, Dai magazine, called attention the Panama Canal situation! and also to the rapid increase ol the number of Soviet ani Chinese from the People™ Republic of China who are said]to be directly connected with their intelligence services. Members were urged to write their congressmen as individuals and not as members of the DAC.Mrs. W. S. Guthrie, chairman of Rehabilitation and Veterans Hospitals, reported that she had sent cakes, cookies and coupon books to the Veterans Hospital in Marlin.Members attending from neighboring towns included Mrs. Van Hook Stubbs, Wortham; Mrs. Paul J. Sloan, Powell; Miss Sue Thornton and Mrs. M. H. Thornton, Fairfield; and Mrs. L. B. Ellensteln and Mrs. Roy DeLafosse, Palestine.
Newspaper Details
Corsicana Daily Sun
Corsicana, Texas, US
Sun, Oct 23, 1977
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Diane R.
NA, 16 Apr 2019
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