New Boys Town Executive Director Excited to Continue Father Flanagan’s Legacy

A powerful lesson learned in fifth grade set the tone for Father Steven Boes’ work with disadvantaged and neglected children.

Only the fifth Executive Director in Boys Town’s 88-year-history and the fourth successor to Father Flanagan, Father Boes said the incident solidified his commitment to reaching out to children and helping them.

“I was one of the cool kids in fifth grade, and there was a boy in my class that was so ‘uncool’ that we would shut him out,” Father Boes said. “We were in a school Mass one day and the homily was about the lepers, and how no one wanted to touch them. But Jesus was a brother to them,” he said. “The message hit me like an arrow to the heart – It changed me.”

Father Boes said he sat with the boy and became his friend, even though his other friends abandoned him for it. “It was the right thing to do, and it committed me to reaching out.”

That will be the 45-year-old Carroll, Iowa, native’s task as he assumes the role of Executive Director of one of the largest, nonprofit, nonsectarian direct care children’s organizations in the country – founded in 1917 by Father Edward J. Flanagan and providing direct care through youth care and health care services to more than 43,000 children in 14 states and the District of Columbia.

Before taking the Boys Town post, Father Boes worked with Native American children at St. Augustine Indian Mission in Winnebago, Neb. In this position he learned to work with children of all faiths, especially the Native American children and their unique culture and spirituality.

“Working with these children, many of whom are non-Catholics, and with the Native American culture fits in perfectly with Boys Town,” Father Boes said. “It reminds me of Father Flanagan’s axiom: ‘Every boy must pray, how he prays is up to him.’”

In addition to this spiritual role, Father Boes lead an effort that helped increase test scores and graduation rates among the children served there. “We are able to help these kids create a future their Winnebago and Omaha ancestors would see only in visions.”

Father Boes also said there is a symbol of the Native American culture he can share with Boys Town youth. “This band has one bead out of place,” he says pointing to a beaded band on his black cowboy hat, “A flaw purposely placed in the band. I haven’t found it yet, but it is a symbol that no one is perfect – but we are no less special or beautiful in God’s eyes.”

Helping children become successful is something Father Boes has held close to him during his 20 years as an ordained Roman Catholic priest.

Almost all of his work involves teaching children. His first assignment was at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Norfolk, Neb. “I immediately began working with elementary and high school students,” he said. “There is nothing more exciting than seeing a young person learning and becoming strong.”

Father Boes said that as a teacher, he is an active partner with the child, parents and others. “The growth you see in a child is fascinating to me.” At other times, the fascination takes on a more critical role. “Children and families are hurting and need help desperately,” he said. “I remember the first time I had to intervene with a child who was thinking of killing himself. Thank God we were able to help him.”

Helping those hurting children and families is an opportunity Father Boes said he found both humbling and exciting about Boys Town. “Father Flanagan’s legacy – ‘The work will continue you see, because it is God’s work, not mine’ – is what I will attempt to live up to. God’s work has pointed me in this direction, and I must keep focused on saving these children in desperate need.”

Father Boes holds a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in sociology from St. John Vianney College Seminary, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.; master’s degrees in theology and divinity from the St. Paul Seminary College, University of St. Thomas; and a master’s in counseling from Creighton University in Omaha.