Born in 1897 in Palestine, Texas, Albertine “Mama” (Hall) Yeager was a beloved African American philanthropist who devoted her life to helping Galveston’s children. Albertine moved to the island in 1917. That same year, she married Charles Yeager, and together they founded the Yeager Children’s Home at 1111 32nd Street. The home kept children of war widows while they worked and then opened to homeless children. By the 1930s, the children’s home functioned as a nursery and kindergarten and had over 60 regulars, but often had up to 108 children a day as it did not turn away children needing help. Yeager accepted children regardless of race or religion, which garnered support across racial and religious lines. By the 1950s, Yeager Children’s Home began to attract more supporters and held a diverse and prominent board with members such as Dr. Henry Jameson, T.D. Armstrong, Randall Sterling and Dorthea Lewis Wynn. Support also came from the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund and Milton “Steamboat” Fleming, a veteran and entrepreneur. When Albertine died in 1969, the organization had helped over 1,000 children. In order to honor her contribution to the community, a tree and plaque were dedicated in 1975 by the American Legion Post 614 “on behalf of our gold star mothers” which sits behind the Yeager Youth Cultural Center. In 1988 the Yeager Children’s Home merged with the Galveston Children’s Home, the Lasker Home and the YWCA of Galveston to become The Children’s Center, Inc (TCCI) to provide childcare, foster care and shelter for Galveston youth. The Yeager Children’s Home became the Yeager Youth Crisis Center which focused on helping homeless and runaway youth. The TCCI continues the legacy that “Mama” Yeager had begun over a hundred years ago helping children in need. (2021)