Tanya’s Story

Nothing was going right in Tanya’s life before she came to Boys Town. Her mom was in and out of her life when she was young, and for several years, Tanya was moved from placement to placement. She skipped school and ran with a crowd that always found trouble.

"Boys Town means a lot to me, but most of all, it means help."

Tanya often let her anger get the best of her. She did what she felt like doing, and anyone who tried to stop her became the enemy. She never really learned to control her emotions, and that usually led to bigger and worse problems. Tanya didn’t think anyone cared about her, and she’d given up hope that anyone ever would.

When Tanya was first admitted to Boys Town, her old habits made life rough for her and everyone she lived with. But her Family-Teachers never gave up. Behind Tanya’s anger and despair, they saw goodness and a promising future. They knew she had to learn how to live life differently, with hope and encouragement. Gradually, Tanya came to understand that she was being welcomed into a caring family where she had a chance to change.

Today, Tanya is an excellent Boys Town student with a list of achievements and awards. She plays sports and is involved in other school activities. She is hoping to someday reunite with her mother. Most importantly, she has learned to respect others and herself, and to make good decisions about what she wants to do with her life.

The stories provided about the children and families in our care are real. In some cases, names my be changed and details altered to protect their privacy and therapeutic interests.