Letters from Father Steve Boes
Executive Director, Boys Town

August 1, 2006

Dear Friends,

Like the ground-breaking efforts of Father Edward J. Flanagan, Boys Town’s great mission to help children and families is just as relevant today as it was nearly 90 years ago.

Father Flanagan was visionary and revolutionary in his concept of rehabilitation and prevention, and we continue those efforts proudly to carry on his legacy of caring for America’s severely at-risk and sometimes “throwaway” children.

From youth care to health care, Boys Town continues to break new ground. We are the largest private agency in America caring for severely at-risk youth and families, and have research-proven results in helping heal our children so they can become successful citizens of our great nation.

Boys Town will continue to break through the front lines of indifference to directly touch the lives of America’s children. This tradition dates back to Father Flanagan and was carried and expanded by each of our National Executive Directors -- Monsignor Nicholas Wegner, Monsignor Robert Hupp and Father Val Peter.

Like them, my job is to build partnerships, community support and grassroots efforts to help children and families. For example, in Chicago, faith-based and community groups and local government are bringing help to an entire neighborhood riddled by violence and poverty. In Louisiana, we continue to work with agencies and the community to bring healing back to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, and in California, community partners are bringing hope to the City of Compton by building a Boys Town assessment center and shelter.

Boys Town sees more and more children in desperate need at its 19 sites across the country. Father Flanagan said it best: “No community can feel satisfied with its progress or prosperity if it has children who, through no fault of theirs, are growing up neglected. “

We need you to help us with this monumental task. Please, join us in this effort to help children and families.

Yours in Faith,