|
In 1917, Father Edward J. Flanagan a Roman Catholic priest and Irish immigrant, borrowed $90 from a friend to open a home for wayward boys in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. Flanagan had worked with down-and-out men who were often too lost to change. He saw that the problem needed to be addressed at the root, when the boys were young and able to be educated and influenced.
Flanagan knew that boys. facing neglect indifference and ignorance. had bleak futures. In their desperation, they often tumed to crime. He wanted to give thern a chance to be successful.. To do this he offered them a home and gave them generous amounts of love, care, patience and understanding.
He changed the way America thought of her troubled children in the t920's and 1930’s by pioneering alternative education (instead of prison). vocational training and self -government.
Since first opening our doors in 1917. Girls and Boys Towns mission has been to provide food. clothing, shelter, education, spiritual guidance and medical care to homeless. neglected and abused boys. Since 1979. the same care has been extended to girls.
Today, challenged by new problems facing youth and families. orrr work stretches far beyond the Village of Boys Town. Nebraska. We are committed to the goal of changing the way America cares for its at-risk children.
All services are provided regardless of race. color, creed, gender. national origin or inability to pay tirrrrclindrerroornetouslrorn every stateirr the Union and several foreign countries. Girls and Boys Town is. and aways has been. a nonsectarian home for troubled
|
 |
 
youth its director is a Catholic priest (to symbolize Father Flanagan), but a Board of Trustees who has various religious backgrounds runs il. Girls and Boys Town receives no funds from the Catholic Church nor does it provide any money to the to the church.
In 1996. Girls and Boys Town provided direct care and treatment to more than 29.011 children, and directly assisted nearly 380.000 through the Boys Town National Hotline. lndrectly, through programs such as the National Resource and Training Center, Guts and Boys Town served more than 750.000 children and families.
Boys Town is an incorporated village in the state of Nebraska. Boys Town has 76larnIy homes. a U.S. Post Office, Fire and Police departrnents. Catholic and Protestant chapels, two schools and a working farm . The village is run be a duly elected Village Board of Trustees. which is independent of the Homes National Board of Trustees, and is responsible for maitaining roads, buildings, sewers, water and public safety. Girls and Boys Town has a large variety of cutting- edge childcare programs to help children. families and ... continued >
< previous story | next page >
|
 |
