Boys Town Nebraska

Nebraska’s Lieutenant Governor Sees Boys Town Programs at Work

Nebraska’s Lieutenant Governor is seeing the success of Boys Town Grand Island Shelter’s programs first hand – by meeting the children it serves.

On June 13, Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy visited the site serving central Nebraska’s girls and boys in crisis, including runaway, homeless, court-placed or abused children.  

“The kids were very excited to spend time with the Lieutenant Governor; they did not want his visit to end,” said Brad Brown, Boys Town Director of Nebraska Family-Based Services.  “We’re honored that he had the chance to visit us and learn more about our entire continuum of care.”

During the visit Sheehy received his own personal tour of the Grand Island shelter, guided by Boys Town youths. “This was a very positive experience for the girls,” said Dave Reed, Boys Town Grand Island Shelter Program Director. “The Lieutenant Governor was very impressed with the social skills our kids used. They used their skills to show him how our program works.”

After receiving his own guided tour, Sheehy offered to return the favor and give the shelter’s children a personal tour of the Nebraska State Capitol during their next visit to Lincoln.  The teens eagerly accepted the offer, and are excited to see their state government at work.

Helping advance these educational opportunities for Grand Island children is a $1,000 grant received from Sam’s Club.  Colleen Friesen, a teacher at the shelter who applied for the grant and accepted the donation, said it will be used to purchase a computer for the children.

“With 17 kids in the shelter and only three computers, an additional computer will be very helpful,” said Friesen.  “It is awesome when the greater community supports what you do.”

In 1989, Boys Town opened the assessment and short-term residential center program in Grand Island.  Highly trained professionals provide individual assessment, counseling and care to help up to 18 girls and boys ages 10-18.  The program is highly successful in helping children work on treatment goals, learn life skills and problem-solving techniques, identify challenges and make better choices. 

In 2006, 281 children in Grand Island and surrounding central Nebraska counties received help, healing and hope primarily through Boys Town Grand Island’s Short-Term Residential Services.  Another 60,736 children and families in the states of Nebraska and Iowa were indirectly assisted through the Boys Town National Hotline and through outreach and professional training programs, including Common Sense Parenting^®.