Boys Town Chicago

Boys Town Comes to Back of the Yards

CHICAGO—More than two hundred community members from Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood joined local elected officials in a groundbreaking for the city’s first Boys Town home.

The short-term residential crisis center, scheduled to open in fall 2006, will offer help, healing and hope to 250 children between the ages of 11 and 18 each year. Boys Town Chicago will work toward keeping the city’s teens off the streets, out of gangs and in school.

“We have children who are caught in circumstances of abuse, violence, drugs and gangs,” said Father Bruce Wellems, pastor of Holy Cross/Immaculate Heart of Mary parish and president of Boys Town Chicago. “As a community, it was imperative that we come together to ensure a brighter future for not only these kids, but for everyone. This home will be a beacon of hope for us all.”

The City of Chicago and the State of Illinois, championed by Mayor Richard M. Daley, State Senator Antonio Munoz and State Representative Edward Acevedo, have lent strong support and vital funding to the project. Mayor Daley helped kick-off the weekend’s celebration by taking part in a breakfast on Friday morning where he joined Boys Town representatives in raising funds for the new home.

“Today is Chicago’s 169 th birthday, so it is especially fitting that we are gathered here on this day to welcome into our neighborhood this remarkable asset,” said Paul Lopez, chairman of the Boys Town Chicago. “The unmistakable spirit of Chicago will be infused into this home and into all children who come through these doors.”