Boys Town Home Campus - Boys Town, NE

Reflections on Father Flanagan

Since his death in 1948, Father Flanagan continues to inspire generations of Boys Town children. The following reflections from Boys Town youth at Wegner Middle School tell how much Father Flanagan means to children today.

Father Flanagan
By: George, 11

If Father Flanagan wasn't a hero, I or any of you, would be getting into trouble and not here. But since he was here we are all off the streets were we lived and in good hands of Father Boes, Father Peter and other Boys Town family. So take pride in learning and make something out of yourself.

Father Flanagan is like a dad to me because his dream provides us with things we need whether we like it or not. At least he tries to help us. Father Flanagan had a dream to help kids and he made it come true. We know this because we are safe, we are happy and we are home.

Father Flanagan
By: Steven, 12

Imagine boys roaming the streets, no place to go and no place to stay, homeless, no food, no money. Father Flanagan's dream was to give those boys a home, a place to stay, a place to eat.

Because of this dream that Father Flanagan had, there are millions of boys and girls are off the streets, they are in safe and happy homes. They have food, proper schooling, and a family who cares for them, and does there best to help them through their treatment.

Father Flanagan's Boys Town means the world to me. It's my home, my shelter, my refuge. It's my second chance at life, my doorway to success. It's a place where I can be me and not worry about anything.

Father Flanagan's dream changed the youth who passed through its doorway and even who some haven't. It gives youth a place to go when they have none. It's a piece of mind that shows there are no bad boys, only bad environments and influences.

His Dream, My Home
By: Shelly, 12

Father Flanagan had made a happy and healthy home for me. I feel safe because of the environment Father Flanagan has provided me. Here at Boys Town I am around good Family-Teachers, peers who respect me, and helpful friends. Father Flanagan has helped me learn many skills, including how to work hard. He bought the farm, where we work, in 1938. Father Flanagan always believed in helping boys all over the world.

Father Flanagan's dream has impacted me by giving me a second chance in life. Father Flanagan has given me the motivation to do well. He has done a lot for all children. He will always be my hero because he has given me a second chance.

Father Flanagan has done a lot for us and we would like to pay our respect to him. Father Flanagan said, "The unspeakable sadness of fallen manhood so deeply impressed me, that I started a refuge for homeless and neglected boys so they could grow into honest and useful men."

We will always remember what Father Flanagan has done for us. Father Flanagan's dream is my home.

Father Flanagan's Dream
By: Anna, 12

Father Flanagan's dream has given my life so much. If it was not here at Boys Town, I do not know where I would be at this point. I am glad it is here for all of us to get better.

He has give me is a bed to go to sleep on, a kitchen to make my meals, and he has also give me the thing I need most in my life, a church to believe in God and to learn more about him.

Father Flanagan's dream helped me to love other people, not only my family. It helped me not to be hard on the inside. When people come here from bad environments Boys Town helps them do really well and be successful in their lives.

This is Father Flanagan's dream that we have all achieved.

What does Father Flanagan's Dream Mean to YOU
By: Michael, 10

I think Father Flanagan's is a helpful man. He is so nice that in his heart he knew the right things to do. So one day he came and built this place called Boys Town. The place he built was for boys who got into trouble and did not have anywhere to live. Some of these boys were abused. Some of their moms and dads would not take care of them. So they came here and Father Flanagan helped them out by making a better place for them.

Ever since I have been at Boys Town my life has been going very well. I am safe every day and my life is happy. Also I am very happy because I have food to eat and I have somewhere to sleep. I do not have to be afraid of someone kidnapping me. I am so happy about how far I have come in my life. 

Boys Town has changed me. I now can accept feedback, accept decisions, follow instructions.

Boys Town can help you be a better person and you will make better choices. Boys Town is a good place for everyone. There is no such thing as a bad boy, but there is such a thing as a bad environment.

A Dream Was Born
By: Julian, 11

Father Flanagan's dream was to have 1,000 boys here at the village of Boys Town all living together, getting along. When these boys left, they left as men.

Because of Father Flanagan I now live in a healthy environment, learning new skills each day preparing me for life outside of Boys Town. Also, I have found many positive things in life to substitute getting in trouble, things such as sports and various other hobbies. For if it was not for his dream I would be in jail, doing nothing as close to constructive as I am doing at Boys Town.

I hope that you will be inspired to continue his dream of help, healing, hope for children across the world.