A commitment to the whole child:
At the Carrie Steele - Pitts Home, we believe in making a difference in the lives of children, in every possible way. We recognize that our ability to help children develop into productive adults is only as good as the quality of our programming, our staff and our facilities. We have been incredibly successful in developing excellent programs while training and retaining highly qualified staff. Our facilities, however, have not kept pace and we now seek to improve the physical infrastructure of the CSPH campus.

For over a decade, the existing buildings on campus have been utilized to the fullest extent. The overcrowded Samuel L. Jones Administration Building has many spaces that serve two or three functions. For example, the central dining area serves as the music room, where approximately 35% of CSPH residents take music or voice lessons. The dining area is also the only space large enough to hold large gatherings of people, and such meetings must be scheduled so that they don't interfere with meal preparation or service. In the Administration Building's basement, the recreation room also serves as a game room, performance hall, and storage room. Spaces for therapy and parental visitation rooms are cramped and they lack the privacy that we would like to provide for children and families. On cold or rainy days, children and staff are often crowded into the Administration Building and cottages, and there are no large indoor areas where the children can play games or perform athletic activities.

As the children's needs have grown, there is a greater need for additional space and enhanced resources. We must respond to these needs and help our children to strengthen their minds, bodies, and spirits. Because children learn through their play, we must provide them with a safe, constructive environment where learning can take place. We must offer appropriate opportunities for our children to explore new ideas, to practice team building, to test their limits and reach their goals. How do we ensure that they do not miss out on these opportunities to learn?

We will ensure the future of our children by building a Life Learning Center at the Carne Steele - Pitts Home. This multipurpose facility will meet the various needs of at-risk youth, and all activities will be centered on learning important life skills. It will be a welcoming place where children can develop their talents and discover their abilities in a well-supervised environment. The Center's planned recreation activities will allow children to have an outlet for their energies while participating in fun, educational, inspirational activities. Children will take part in experiences that will shape their characters and prepare them for the challenges they will face.

When completed, the Life Learning Center will add a vital new dimension to the Carrie Steele - Pitts Home campus. CSPH Board President and Southwest Hospital surgeon Dr. Dennis Turner points out the real need for such a facility: "Children are often placed into care with many emotional, physical, social and educational needs. With the proposed activities that will be conducted in the Life Learning Center, the Carrie Steele - Pitts Home will greatly enhance our services to children who are placed in the Home".