August 31, 1967
A group of Fort Worth people interested in services for deaf persons convened their first informal meeting.
January 29, 1968
The group was formally organized as “Tarrant County Workers with the Deaf,” and began the work of information, coordination of community services, and advocacy. This was the first such organization for serving people who are deaf in the state of Texas.
1969
The group became incorporated as Tarrant County Services for the Hearing Impaired (TCSHI, Inc.)
August, 1970
“Signs of the Times,” the first known television program ever to feature a deaf host, aired on KTVT (Channel 11), with Betsy Stanley as host. The show, produced as a public service by TCSHI and KTVT, was broadcast monthly with various hosts until 1995, when the station was purchased by the CBS television network.
1971
TCSHI began a telephone message relay center for people who are deaf. It was run by volunteers until late 1984, when staff was hired to provide the service full time. The service, called Operation HOWDY (“Helping Others With Deaf Yak”), continued until 1988, when GTE established a regional relay service which was the pilot project for the statewide Relay Texas system.
1973
Maureen Goodrich, a Fort Worth philanthropist who was hard of hearing herself, donated a substantial sum toward establishing a permanent facility for TCSHI and its services.
1974
TCSHI purchased property on Lipscomb Street for its new center.
1975
TCSHI opened its first temporary service center in a classroom at Trinity Episcopal Church, adopting the name “Goodrich for the Deaf” for the facility. In May it relocated to a house lent by the All Church Home for Children at 1598 Sunset Terrace. Service programs grew rapidly from this point. These included interpreting, information and referral, public awareness of deafness, coordination of community services, supportive services to other community agencies, social and recreational activities, transportation assistance, and voluntary services. The Tarrant County TTY Club and the Cowtown Youth Club were established.
May, 1976
TCSHI received funding for some of its services from the Texas Commission for the Deaf (which began operating in 1973).
1976
The Deaf Senior Citizens Club was formed.
February 28, 1977
TCSHI moved into its new, permanent quarters, known as the Goodrich for the Deaf, at 2500 Lipscomb Street. Center
May, 1981
TCSHI began aural rehabilitation, lipreading training, and other services for people who are hard of hearing.
March, 1990
The Fort Worth Chapter of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People was inaugurated. Following a name change at the national organization in 2006, the chapter became the Hearing Loss Association of Fort Worth. Its monthly meetings are held at the Goodrich Center.
January 1, 1991
The corporate name was changed to “Goodrich Center for the Deaf, Inc.”
August 31, 1967
A group of Fort Worth people interested in services for deaf persons convened their first informal meeting.
January 29, 1968
The group was formally organized as “Tarrant County Workers with the Deaf,” and began the work of information, coordination of community services, and advocacy. This was the first such organization for serving people who are deaf in the state of Texas.
1969
The group became incorporated as Tarrant County Services for the Hearing Impaired (TCSHI, Inc.)
August, 1970
“Signs of the Times,” the first known television program ever to feature a deaf host, aired on KTVT (Channel 11), with Betsy Stanley as host. The show, produced as a public service by TCSHI and KTVT, was broadcast monthly with various hosts until 1995, when the station was purchased by the CBS television network.
1971
TCSHI began a telephone message relay center for people who are deaf. It was run by volunteers until late 1984, when staff was hired to provide the service full time. The service, called Operation HOWDY (“Helping Others With Deaf Yak”), continued until 1988, when GTE established a regional relay service which was the pilot project for the statewide Relay Texas system.
1973
Maureen Goodrich, a Fort Worth philanthropist who was hard of hearing herself, donated a substantial sum toward establishing a permanent facility for TCSHI and its services.
1974
TCSHI purchased property on Lipscomb Street for its new center.
1975
TCSHI opened its first temporary service center in a classroom at Trinity Episcopal Church, adopting the name “Goodrich for the Deaf” for the facility. In May it relocated to a house lent by the All Church Home for Children at 1598 Sunset Terrace. Service programs grew rapidly from this point. These included interpreting, information and referral, public awareness of deafness, coordination of community services, supportive services to other community agencies, social and recreational activities, transportation assistance, and voluntary services. The Tarrant County TTY Club and the Cowtown Youth Club were established.
May, 1976
TCSHI received funding for some of its services from the Texas Commission for the Deaf (which began operating in 1973).
1976
The Deaf Senior Citizens Club was formed.
February 28, 1977
TCSHI moved into its new, permanent quarters, known as the Goodrich for the Deaf, at 2500 Lipscomb Street. Center
May, 1981
TCSHI began aural rehabilitation, lipreading training, and other services for people who are hard of hearing.
March, 1990
The Fort Worth Chapter of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People was inaugurated. Following a name change at the national organization in 2006, the chapter became the Hearing Loss Association of Fort Worth. Its monthly meetings are held at the Goodrich Center.
January 1, 1991
The corporate name was changed to “Goodrich Center for the Deaf, Inc.”