New York City Officials Visit Boys Town Nebraska/Iowa

In early August, New York City officials accompanied Cynthia Armijo, Boys Town New York Executive Director, on a trip to the Boys Town Nebraska/Iowa campus in Omaha to tour and learn more about the Boys Town Integrated Continuum of Care^SM.     

The campus visitors included Laurence Busching, Executive Deputy Commissioner, Department for Youth and Family Justice, New York City Administration of Children Services; Leslie Abbey, Executive Director, Juvenile Justice Initiative, Administration for Children Services and Tim Lisante, Ph.D., Superintendent District 79, New York City Department of Education.  

“The visit was an exploration to learn what Boys Town is all about on a national level,” said Armijo. “It was an opportunity to see the full continuum in action and understand the connection and support that New York shares with its national organization.” 

While on the Nebraska/Iowa campus, the New York City officials met with Corey Steel of the Nebraska Office of Probation, which sparked a productive conversation about the future of care for kids in the juvenile justice system. Some of the key topics included alternatives to detention, custody reform, education during incarceration, and evidence-based models of care. 

But their visit wasn’t all talk. They got to see the Boys Town model in action with a tour of the Boys Town High School by Dr. Bob Gehringer, Boy Town High School Principal and Superintendent. Described as “moving and exciting,” by Armijo, the New York officials were impressed by the behavior of the students during the tour. 

“They were amazed by the way that the youth were on task and polite, and greeting the visitors with good eye contact,” said Gehringer. “But the students were just doing what they normally do because we teach skills that help students become successful.”

Also on the agenda was a tour of Wegner School with Principal Cathy DeSalvo. Again, they were greeted by each child. The group joined in on the morning assembly where the students pledged allegiance to the flag, sang a motivational song and announced merits.

But of course, no visit to the Nebraska/Iowa campus would be complete without a stopover at the Hall of History. The New York guests particularly enjoyed the bust of record-setting New York Yankee and Boys Town supporter, Lou Gehrig.  

With a successful trip under their belts, the group headed back east with a better understanding of Boys Town and its model of care. “This visit allowed these key New York stakeholders to get a true glimpse of the Boys Town model in action, its heritage and history of success,” said Armijo. “It was also an excellent opportunity for two parties from very different places, but with the same goal, to learn from one another. I expect with this better understanding, we’ll all return to New York with an even stronger partnership and new ideas to best serve children and families.”