Boys Town Louisiana

Louisiana Celebrates “Good People, Good Food, Good Fun” at Family and Friends Day

Boys Town Louisiana celebrated life and new beginnings for at-risk youth, their family members, and friends from the community at their annual Family and Friends Day June 8.

“One of the greatest and most enduring family traditions in Louisiana is the coming together of good people, good food and good fun,” said Dr. Dennis Dillon, Boys Town Louisiana Executive Director. “Our youth and staff and friends were able to experience all that during the event.”

Volleyball and basketball tournaments, and hoola hoop and jump rope contests provided hours of fun at the site’s Behrman Highway Emergency Shelter. Boys Town youth also enjoyed singing and dancing with Kids in Motion, a group of youth performers from a local non-profit organization.

Special guests included Jeff Doussan, Boys Town Louisiana Board Chairman; Dr. Gregory Thomas, Board member; Rev. Truehill; and Marlin Gusman, Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff. While speaking to all attendees, Doussan encouraged the youth to have vision, get an education, seek positive outcomes, and enjoy their success.

Shine White hugs his Family-Teacher as he accepts his honorary Boys Town Certificate of Citizenship.

“Love, respect and tolerance of each other’s differences will help you engage the world around you,” Doussan told the youth. “Boys Town helps you to become precisely the type of young person that our high schools and colleges want, and the type of adult that our communities so desperately need.”

In addition to the day’s festivities, Shine White, a former youth who recently graduated, received a certificate of Boys Town citizenship for his excellent performance in school, and for being an exceptional role model for other youth. The recognition was meant as a farewell for White who will soon leave for a year-long internship in Germany.

The day was dedicated to the memory of Anna Mejia, a Boys Town Louisiana financial assistant who passed away suddenly this past spring after six years with the organization.

“This is Father Flanagan’s vision realized,” Dillon said. “The friendships that were developed and the relationships created will have a lasting effect on everyone involved.”