When families struggle, it’s rarely because they don’t care. It’s because they’ve run out of support. At Boys Town Louisiana, we believe when parents are empowered, children thrive and communities grow stronger.
Every day, Melanie Parker, Care Coordination Supervisor, and Nicholas Belson, In-Home Family Services Supervisor, see that belief in action. Their teams meet families where they are -- at home, in schools and in the community -- helping parents and caregivers find the stability and confidence they need to keep moving forward.
“Most families already have a foundation,” Nicholas said. “There’s love, there’s a desire to do better. Sometimes they just need help finding their footing again.”
That’s where Boys Town’s continuum of care makes a difference. Programs like My Community Cares address immediate needs, things like mental-health referrals, housing support, or access to childcare. Once families have that initial stability, In-Home Family Services helps build structure and routines that strengthen daily life. Care Coordination then connects them to long-term resources in their neighborhoods, ensuring that progress lasts.
“It’s a team effort,” Melanie said. “One program alone doesn’t do everything. We work together to make sure families don’t fall through the cracks.”
The goal, both say, is empowerment. Families who once felt overwhelmed begin to find hope and agency again. Parents learn new strategies, children start to feel secure and the home becomes a place of calm instead of crisis.
“Family mental health means feeling supported and stable,” Melanie said. “It’s knowing you can stand together when life gets hard.”
Nicholas often sees this transformation firsthand. “When families feel supported, you can see the change. They open up, they trust you, they start believing in what’s possible again. You can literally see hope in their eyes.”
That sense of hope extends beyond the household. When parents regain confidence and children feel safe, neighborhoods become more connected and resilient.
“A community that sticks together is a community that persists,” Nicholas said.
Through Boys Town Louisiana’s community-based programs, families find more than just short-term help; they find the tools, relationships and hope they need to build brighter futures. Every visit, every conversation, every success adds up to something larger: stronger families and a stronger Louisiana.