Thanks to a growing partnership between Blackshear Elementary School and the Health
Family Care Center, a new privacy banner now shields the school鈥檚 front gates鈥攐ffering
students, staff, and families increased safety, dignity, and peace of mind.
The initiative was spearheaded by Assistant Principal LaRue A. Ellis, M.P.A., after concerns about campus visibility and security were raised during a series of community town halls. As an open-campus school in Houston鈥檚 Third Ward, Blackshear lacked a physical barrier to deter potential threats. The newly installed privacy screen now offers a simple yet effective safety upgrade, particularly during transitions in and out of the building.
鈥淭his banner may seem like a small thing, but it鈥檚 a big step toward protecting our students and supporting our community,鈥� Ellis said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to have the University of Houston as a true partner in prioritizing the well-being of our school family.鈥�
The project was made possible by a collaboration with the Health Family Care Center and the support of Reverend Linda Davis, longtime community advocate and board member at the Family Care Center. Davis, who has volunteered extensively in back-to-school events and outreach efforts, said the clinic鈥檚 mission closely aligns with the needs of the community.
鈥淭he Family Care Center represents the best of what can happen when people come together for a greater purpose,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a place where dignity is restored, hope is rekindled, and lives are transformed. This privacy banner is just one more example of how we can meet real needs through partnership.鈥�
Neena Arora, M.B.A., M.H.A., assistant vice president and CEO of the Health Family Care Center, responded without hesitation when asked to support the school. 鈥淭his privacy banner play is important because it helps in creating a safe and welcoming environment for the children, teachers, and parents,鈥� Arora said. 鈥淲e want the community to know that we鈥檙e here for them.鈥�
The privacy banner is part of a much greater collaboration between the University and the school. In recent years, the center has become an active and visible presence in the community, providing school physicals at multiple campuses, including Blackshear, and participating in school-based events such as Open Houses and Family Engagement Nights. The clinic鈥檚 providers鈥攎any of whom are also faculty at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine鈥攔egularly volunteer their time to deliver care and health education in neighborhood settings.
The clinic also hosts an annual back-to-school block party featuring free backpacks, school supplies, games and health screenings. 鈥淓vents like these show how health care, education and community spirit can work together,鈥� Arora shared. 鈥淲e believe health care should be compassionate, accessible, and focused on the whole person鈥攖his partnership helps make that a reality.鈥�
For Davis, it鈥檚 those human connections that matter most. 鈥淥ne of my favorite things is volunteering at those back-to-school events鈥攕eeing the joy on children鈥檚 faces when they receive a backpack or finish a health screening,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 in those moments that you feel the heart of this work.鈥�
As the partnership between Blackshear Elementary and the Health Family Care Center continues to grow, leaders on both sides say they remain committed to creating safe, healthy, and thriving environments for families in the Third Ward and beyond.
鈥淲e have more work to do and more lives to touch,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淏ut with partnerships like this, the future is bright.鈥� Learn more about the Health Family Care Center and its services.