This article was posted ​on newportthisweek.com on Thursday, May 12th.

2016 marks the 25th year that Boys Town New England has been part of the Newport County community, serving at-risk children and families throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Since opening its doors in 1991, over 4,000 children and 1,600 families have benefited from the hallmarked services which include the Boys Town Family Home Program, situated on the 18-acre Bazarsky Campus in Portsmouth.

In celebration of this landmark, 250 guests attended the annual Boys Town New England Spirit of Youth Gala at the Hotel Viking on May 6. During the event, Executive Director Bill Reardon recognized past Spirit of Youth honorees who have played pivotal roles in supporting the mission over the last 25 years. These honorees included Beatrice Bazarsky, William Corcoran Esq., former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Raytheon and its employees, the McIntyre Family, the Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, Michael Ryan, employees of Pare Corporation, and the Honorable Laureen D’Ambra.

All proceeds from this event directly support the programs offered at Boys Town New England such as foster family services, in-home family services, family visitation services and common sense parenting classes.

In 2015, Boys Town provided services to over 800 children and 300 families in Rhode Island. Boys Town New England is one of the 11 national sites of Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys aka Boys Town, which has served millions of children and families nationwide since 1917. Boys Town New England is proud to be a part of an agency that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2017.