Boys Town Washington

Family-Teachers Donnell, right, and Jocelyn Potts provide a family style environment for children in their newly opened Washington, D.C., home. Click here to learn how to become a Family-Teacher.

"Calling," Leads a D.C. Couple to Helping Kids

Deep down in their hearts, Jocelyn and Donnell Potts, wanted to help kids, but weren't exactly sure where to start.

"We had experience working with youth and the desire to help change kids' lives," said Jocelyn. "We discussed the idea of opening our own group home.when we saw an ad for Boys Town Family-Teachers."

"We thought, 'This is it. This is how we are going to get involved,'" said Donnell. "The ad's description of the Family-Teaching position was like reading a description of Jocelyn and me."

The Potts left their jobs in November 2004 to come to Boys Town Washington, D.C. Jocelyn was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is a graduate of Anne Arundel Community College. Donnell was raised in Easton, Md., and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Donnell is currently in graduate school through Bellevue University, in conjunction with Boys Town, to receive his Masters of Health Services.

The couple currently lives with six boys, ages 14-17, in one of the four new residential homes. The entire household appreciates their home, Donnell says, "Besides having the family style program, we now have a home that looks more family style. We have a little community."

As soon as a youth comes through their door, Jocelyn, 28, and Donnell, 31, begin helping him. "We try to provide them with a family atmosphere," said Jocelyn. "We pray as a family before meals and attend church services at the boys' respective churches. It's like what Father Flanagan said, 'Every boy must learn to pray, how he prays is up to him.'"

Their mission is to ensure the kids' physical, spiritual, emotional and treatment needs are met. So far, their life's mission has helped 17 boys get better. "Seeing a change in the kids after being here a few months is remarkable," said Donnell. "They go from having anger issues to being happy youth."

Boys Town employees are responsible for teaching the kids life skills, so they can make good decisions when they go back into society. "We tell the guys to have integrity in everything they do," said Donnell. "If you start with that, everything else will fall into place - school, stuff at home and things with their families."

The importance of integrity is helping in the classroom. Donnell is pleased to say, "We have been getting support from different schools and they are accepting our kids into their classrooms. They are working hand in hand with us."

Donnell and Jocelyn Potts, Boys Town Washington, D.C., Family-Teachers

One of their great success stories is in Frank, who came to Boys Town in October 2005, during his sophomore year. He was looking for help, healing and hope. Struggling academically, he committed to work hard in and out of the classroom. "It makes me feel good about myself," said Frank. "It feels kind of great."

As a junior, Frank still attends the same school where he was struggling at prior to coming to Boys Town. Teachers that knew Frank are amazed with the changes Boys Town helped instill in him.

"After coming to live with us, the teachers noticed a difference in Frank right away," said Donnell. "He went from an introverted kid that had no confidence, to one that can speak in front of a crowd of 100. He is more focused now. He even goes to school and teaches the teachers what he is learning here. Frank has made tremendous improvement."

Since living at Boys Town, Frank has received six awards from Leary School of Virginia, including Student of the Year Award and the Presidential Academic Excellence Award at the end of his sophomore year.

"When he won the Student of the Year Award, he was in shock and just sat there," said Jocelyn. "Somebody actually had to tell him to get up."

"It was wild and exciting," said Donnell. "It gave me a sense of pride and I'm very proud of him."

In addition to all of Frank's academic progress, he has also made great strides in the home thanks to his newly instilled sense of family.

Frank, pictured during the dedication of the new Boys Town Washington, D.C., homes, is proud of the awards he earned at his high school

"Frank's biggest improvements are behaviorally, which has been a steady improvement," said Donnell. "He thrives on the family style environment and is happy that he has parental figures now."

Frank agrees, "I needed a family environment to help me to do well. Being accepted by my peers and being pulled into the light is my biggest reward."

Donnell is confident that the family style environment allows relationships to continue with the kids. He said, "We do keep in touch with all of our kids that have left Boys Town. Some actually do come back and go to church and various activities with us."

Donnell stressed, "Every kid that has lived in our home, has left the program better than when he arrived. They are better prepared when they leave here."

"This is our calling," said Jocelyn. "Hopefully, we will be impacting children for the rest of our lives."