| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town Youth Receives a Half Dollar from Patrick Kennedy
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town Youth Receives a Half Dollar from Patrick Kennedy
| <p>On Sept. 16, Boys Town youth, Istamar Duran, had the opportunity to meet Patrick Kennedy, nephew of John F. Kennedy, and an advocate for mental illness and suicide prevention. </p><p>Kennedy was the keynote speaker at the Kim Foundation's annual luncheon in Omaha, Nebraska, which Istamar was able to attend thanks to a mutual friend of her Family-Teachers, Sarah and Andrew Seaman. </p><p>Patrick Kennedy previously served 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives as Rhode Island's First Congressional District. One of the most pivotal parts of his term in office was being a lead sponsor to the <a href="https://www.cms.gov/cciio/programs-and-initiatives/other-insurance-protections/mhpaea_factsheet.html" target="_blank">Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act</a>, which was signed into law by George W. Bush in 2008. </p><p>Sarah Seamen, Family-Teacher, explained that Istamar has had issues in her past with drug use and that she is someone who tends to be moved by hearing inspiring stories from others. Kennedy himself dealt with mental illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder and also struggled with addictions, so being able to hear his story was very motivating for Istamar. </p><p>Sarah also said that during Kennedy's presentation he mentioned Boys Town several times because he used to have an office in Rhode Island that was right across the street from Boys Town New England. He stated that we were so lucky to have a place like Boys Town in our community. </p><p>After his presentation, the Seaman's and Istamar went up to thank Mr. Kennedy for supporting Boys Town's mission and during that time he reached into his pocket and handed Istamar a Kennedy half dollar. </p><p>"It was a very cool experience meeting him," said Sarah, "The work that he is doing is very in line with how we approach things here at Boys Town. Especially by treating addictions as an illness to the brain and not something that is a character flaw." </p><p>During Kennedy's stay in Nebraska he also made a stop at Boys Town National Research Hospital<sup>® </sup>where he visited with James Blair, PhD, Director, Center for Neurobehavioral Research in Children, and discussed the brain research that Boys Town is doing and how it relates to the mental health need of our community. </p> | 2018-12-12T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Kennedy" src="/locations/nebraska/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Kennedy.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Nebraska;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town Welding Program Becomes Registered Apprenticeship
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town Welding Program Becomes Registered Apprenticeship
| <p>"Every child that came to Boys Town back in the 1930's had to learn a trade. That was something that was near and dear to Father Flanagan's heart. He was convinced that these kids would not turn out the way they needed to without understanding hard work and learning a skill." </p><p>These are the words that were spoken by Jeff Peterson, Director of Home Campus Youth Care, on November 13 at the signing of the Boys Town Welding Program as an official registered apprenticeship in the state of Nebraska, which is a United States Department of Labor designation.</p><p>This apprentice program will be the equivalence of two years of post-secondary education at a trade school or community college. </p><p>Thanks to this program students will get an early start to the trade life and it will help link seniors to apprenticeships and internships as they transition out of Boys Town after graduation.</p><p>Current Boys Town Mayor, Nolan Heinrich, has taken some of the welding classes and he now knows he wants to go on to a two-year college after Boys Town to become a professional welder. </p><p>The trade programs at Boys Town went away in the 90's and about six years ago Boys Town decided to bring them back. Since then the trade schools have grown from 25 students to now over 200 students involved in these programs. </p><p>This new Trade Life Program has been made possible thanks to a partnership with Nebraska Welding Ltd. </p><p>"One of the core values of Boys Town trade life programs is partnership with strong public or private partners," said Michelle Tauber, Trade Life Program Manager, "Boys Town's partnership with Nebraska Welding is important because it provides our youth a realistic path into a lifelong career field." </p><p>The owner of Nebraska Welding Ltd., Alan Wear, spoke of the importance of this program for not only students but also for a thriving community.</p><p>"Business hates uncertainty, right now in trades there is a lot of uncertainty. But I also think youth hate uncertainty," stated Alan. "When you're a young man or lady graduating from Boys Town at 18 it's uncertain. Your whole life is changing in front of you. This program is what they need." </p><p>Also in attendance at the ceremony was Lt. Gov. Mike Foley, state and federal Department of Labor representatives and Senator Robert Hilkemann.</p><p>Registered apprenticeships are in seven schools across the state of Nebraska and now Boys Town is joining in on that. This is a great way to expose high school students to different options besides four-year schooling and produce valuable workers to the industrial arts field. </p><p><img src="/locations/nebraska/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Apprenticeship2.jpg" alt="Welding Apprenticeship" style="margin:5px;" /><br></p> | 2018-12-12T06:00:00Z | | <img alt="Welding Apprenticeship" src="/locations/nebraska/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Apprenticeship1.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;MARGIN:5px 5px;" /> | Nebraska;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Erica’s story: A journey toward hope
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Erica’s story: A journey toward hope
| <p>Erica had no parent to lean on, no place to call home. </p><p>When her mother's parental rights were terminated, Erica was placed in the care of a relative. The stay was short. Soon, Erica's bags were packed and she was sent off to another relative's home. Again, her stay there proved temporary. </p><p>Nothing in this young girl's life was permanent, except the ever-present feelings of loss and insecurity. </p><p>By the time Erica turned 17, she was out of relatives and out of options. Warily, she moved back in with her mom, who was sharing a home with a friend. It wasn't an ideal situation; the family faced many challenges and had few resources. </p><p>Eventually, Erica and her mother were referred to Boys Town North Florida's In-Home Family Services<sup>®</sup> program for support and counseling. Boys Town Family Consultant Millie Kilpatrick made weekly visits to their home, listening to the women's concerns, offering encouragement, and teaching life skills they could use to relieve the stress and uncertainty in their lives. </p><p><span><img class="page-suppt-cont" src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Erica-1.jpg" alt="Erica" style="margin:5px;" /></span>Millie also helped make one of Erica's biggest wishes come true – a party for her 18<sup>th</sup> birthday. Erica celebrated with her closest friends at a local eatery, and the carefree evening provided a sense of everyday normalcy the teen desperately craved. </p><p>
Despite the many disappointments and disruptions she endured at home, Erica remained a diligent student who kept going to school and working hard to maintain her status on the academic honor roll. She never lost hope and always believed the future could be much different than the past. </p><p>Her optimism (and hard work!) was eventually rewarded. </p><p>Today, Erica balances her academics with an afterschool job while living in transitional housing. She continues to develop independent-living skills that will ensure her future is secure and successful! </p> | 2018-12-05T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Erica" src="/locations/north-florida/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Erica-2.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | North Florida;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town Nevada Celebrates Common Sense Parenting Graduates
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town Nevada Celebrates Common Sense Parenting Graduates
| <p>On November 15, Boys Town Nevada hosted an event to celebrate 2018 Common Sense Parenting<sup>® </sup>(CSP) graduates and past alumni from the program. </p><p>This is the third year that Nevada has held this CSP recognition event. The theme for this year was gratitude. </p><p>"This event is a great way for parents to come together and connect with one another and to become a support group," said Stacy Burrell, CSP Supervisor, "This is also how we as Boys Town can show that we are still here and we still support them." </p><p>The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas catered the event to provide a warm meal for the families that attended, which was a very special thing for some in attendance who come from shelters. </p><p>A highlight of the event was having the children come up and talk about what they were thankful. One child stated that he was thankful for his mom. It is because of programs such as CSP that parents gain the skills to be the best they can for their children. </p><p>"CSP has the power to transform present and future relationships between caregivers and children for generations to come. In order for individuals to learn, we must teach," said Stacy. "When families learn to cope in a positive manner, our community is safer and stronger."</p><p>Not only did Boys Town Nevada show gratitude to all the parents and families that they have served, they also gave thanks to some of their partnering agencies, which have increased in the past year. </p><p>This year there were four platinum sponsors, which means they hosted three or more CSP workshop this year. The platinum sponsors were: Hope for Prisoners, Shade Tree, Las Vegas Rescue Mission and Human Behavior Institute. </p><p><img src="/locations/nevada/news-and-events/PublishingImages/NVstaff.jpg" alt="Nevada Staff" style="margin:5px;" /><br></p> | 2018-12-05T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Nevada Event Decorations" src="/locations/nevada/news-and-events/PublishingImages/decorations.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Nevada;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town New England Teaches International Parents
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town New England Teaches International Parents
| <p>Moving to a new country can accompany a lot of struggles for individuals, some of the biggest challenges can be the language barriers and adjusting to a completely new kind of culture. </p><p>The unique thing about America is that we are the melting pot of the world with people who move here from many different countries and backgrounds. Many of them are moving here because they want a better life and they see hope for their family's future in the United States. </p><p>Some children are so young or maybe not even born yet when their parents move to the United States, so they have the advantage of living in the country from a young age where it is much easier for them to grasp onto different things such as language and culture, unlike their parents. </p><p>Boys Town New England has partnered with Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island to teach <a href="/parenting/Pages/csp-find-a-class.aspx">Common Sense Parenting<sup>®</sup></a> (CSP) to International parents in the hopes to help them transition into a new country. </p><p>Dorcas International's mission aims to empower individuals and families so that they can become self-sufficient and active members of the community through innovative programs and advocacy that promote education, training and cultural understanding. </p><p>These collaborative CSP classes with Dorcas International will be offered four to six times per year. Here international parents can attend and learn new parenting methods of the United States and simultaneously will continue to practice their English speaking skills and learn new terms accustomed to our culture. </p><p>Maria Marroquin, Common Sense Parenting Supervisor, New England, is the Boys Town employee who has played a significant role in this partnership with Dorcas and it is something that she is very passionate about because she can relate to it from her own past. </p><p>"I had parents who came to America from another country. So I personally understand how frustrating it can be as a first generation American child to have parents who don't necessarily grasp the culture," said Maria. "It's hard for children who all they know is the American culture to come home to parents who don't."</p><p>The goal of this new partnership is to bridge that gap that is in some of these families where the children understand the culture, but there is still some disconnect for the parents. </p><p>"The thing about these parents is that they so desperately want to learn, so that they can improve the lifestyle of their families. A lot of them move to the United States in the first place so that their kids can have a better education and overall improved lifestyle," said Maria. "They want to adapt to the American society, while still holding tight to their culture." </p><p>The classes provide a diverse team of skilled trainers who come together to offer a quality program and to work with a variety of different cultures to create very impactful conversations. The trainers rely heavily on visual aids and role modeling to get the messages across as well. </p><p>"The trainers themselves have a wide range of backgrounds. One trainer is African American and one speaks three different languages," said Maria. "We really can come together to help support a wide range of different people with different backgrounds." </p><p>Boys Town New England is very excited about this partnership and they are already receiving amazing responses from those who have attended it and the classes have had a great turnout of parents who so desperately want to adapt to this new society for themselves and their children. </p><p>Thanks to everyone at Boys Town New England who is coming together to help strengthen these families and giving hope to international parents so that they can become active members of the community. </p> | 2018-11-30T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Boys Town New England Teaches International Parents " src="/locations/new-england/news-and-events/PublishingImages/dorcas-international.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | New England;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Compass has helped 100 children find forever homes, something that was celebrated on National Adoption Day
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Compass has helped 100 children find forever homes, something that was celebrated on National Adoption Day
| <p><em>This article is written by Mary Jane Skala. It was posted on </em><a href="https://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/compass-has-helped-children-find-forever-homes-something-that-was/article_ab2cffc8-edaa-11e8-ad16-57144900bc50.html"><em>kearneyhub.com</em></a><em> on November 21, 2018. </em></p><p>Kearney — After Webb and Meghan Antholz lost their newborn son in 2010, they struggled. Then they had an idea: They could become foster parents.</p><p>"We always knew there were kids out there who needed a home, so we decided that fostering was going to be the path we would travel down," Meghan said.</p><p>She hasn't looked back.</p><p>In April 2017, three little girls came to live with them as foster children.</p><p>On Oct. 31, the couple adopted the three. They are Jane Everleigh, 5; Josalynn Davina, 4, and Jalissa Joyce, 2. "I consider us lucky to have found our perfect family the first time out the gate," Antholz said.</p><p>Adopting three children brought the couple new challenges, but those were softened as they all got to know each other and developed a routine.</p><p>Jane and Josalynn started preschool shortly after adoption, "and it was awesome to see them succeed and learn new things," Antholz said.</p><p>Special, too, was celebrating Jalissa's first birthday. She came to live with them when she was 9 months old.</p><p>"Seeing her grow and develop her own personality has been one of the biggest joys," her mother said.</p><p>On Nov. 3, the couple had a party to introduce the girls to their family and friends. Last Saturday, they celebrated at a National Adoption Day party at First United Methodist Church that celebrated the adoption of 27 children in Buffalo County in 2018. Hosted by Buffalo County judges Gerald Jorgensen and John Rademacher, the party included entertainment and games, a photo booth, a cake walk, prizes, and food. The official National Adoption Day was Nov. 16.</p><p>"Fostering can be the hardest job you take on, but it can also be the most rewarding job you take on," Antholz said. "I would tell parents to be prepared for just about anything and everything. You never know what you will face with kids and what trauma they have faced."</p><p>The Antholz family worked with Compass, a non-profit agency at 514 W. 11th St. that works with foster and adoptive families. The three Antholz adoptions, and two others by a Kearney family this fall, marked 100 adoptions handled by Compass in the last five years. Compass was founded in 2007 to support families in crisis.</p><p>"For every child who has been adopted, many more have been successfully reunified with their biological families," said Savannah Lyon, a Compass project lead.</p><p>Lyon, who is responsible for communications, fundraising and marketing for Compass, said the agency initially focused on finding transitional homes for older teens. "Until about five years ago we only had a handful of foster homes and we had fewer than 35 placements," she said.</p><p>Today the agency oversees more than 50 families in 23 Nebraska counties who are serving nearly 80 children in foster care.</p><p>"In these past five years, our partnerships with families willing to share their home with children in need has increased significantly. As we have shared the need, families have responded. That speaks a lot to the generosity and kindness of our community. We are grateful to have so much support from individuals, families, churches and businesses to make this work possible," Lyon said.</p><p>On Nov. 13, as part of National Adoption Month this month, Mayor Stan Clouse issued a proclamation to three staff members from Boys Town Central Nebraska at 620 E. 25th St. who work with foster families. The three were Ana Schroeder and Melissa Kometscher, both foster family service consultants, and Shawna Hammond, a foster family services supervisor. The three recruit and train new foster parents and help them through the licensing process. They also help place foster children and conduct monthly consultations with the foster child(ren) and the foster parents.</p><p>Boys Town also has a site in Grand Island that provides services for foster care and in-home family services. It operates a shelter there. The work is headquartered at 101-year-old Boys Town in Omaha.<br></p> | 2018-11-28T06:00:00Z | News | | Central Nebraska;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town Nevada Honored as Partner of the Year
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town Nevada Honored as Partner of the Year
| <p>On October 23, Boys Town Nevada Common Sense Parenting<sup>® </sup>(CSP) was honored by Clark County School District (CCSD) as partner of the year. </p><p>They received the award at the Annual Partnership Recognition Breakfast where the CCSD celebrated their amazing community partners.</p><p>Stacy Burrell, CSP Supervisor, represented Boys Town in receiving this award for the work CSP has done with FACES – an organization that helps schools, families and communities partner to help ensure children are successful. </p><p>Through FACES, parents of current and future CCSD students can enter into the University of Family Learning program. This program provides parents access to several valuable resources for education, networking and parent leadership information. Boys Town Common Sense Parenting is one of those resources. Boys Town CSP classes are now in almost all Clark County schools that partner with FACES, which has helped increase community awareness and engagement of Boys Town Nevada's programs and services. </p><p>"We were so excited when this partnership began with the school district," said Burrell. "We love how we are making waves to be more involved with the community. I think this kind of program really gives parents a sense of value." <br></p> | 2018-11-21T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Stacy Burrell" src="/locations/north-florida/Banners/StacyBurrell.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Nevada;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
In-Home Family Services Consultant Receives Award
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
In-Home Family Services Consultant Receives Award
| <p>Jake Cunningham, In-Home Family Services Consultant, received the Lucy Nevels Child Care Worker of the Year award on October 18, at the Nebraska Association of Homes and Services for Children (NeAHSC) Annual Conference. The award is a recognition of a staff member who goes above and beyond to help children and families in the community.</p><p>NeAHSC members represent a range of in and out of home services offered to youth and families in Nebraska which include child welfare, juvenile justice and treatment services, this makes Boys Town a perfect fit to be a member agency.</p><p>Jake has been working at Boys Town since September of 2015 and since then he has already made a huge impact on the Omaha and surrounding communities. </p><p>In-Home Family Services supervisor Brad Vipond states that the work Jake does for Boys Town Nebraska makes him an incredible asset to the team, program and organization. </p><p>"Jake always goes above and beyond with his families. He is a consultant that lives the mission beyond his role as a Family Consultant. He sees our goal beyond tasks, behaviors, or dysfunction," said Brad. "This is why he is so successful with difficult situations and family struggles. He, not only understands the model, but is able to utilize and implement it naturally." </p><p>What Jake has done for Boys Town is nothing short of incredible and it is people like him who pour their life's passion into their work to make a lasting impact. </p><p> "When I started working at Boys Town, I remember feeling excited to come to work and surround myself with like-minded people. I still feel that excitement today," said Jake. "Boys Town has supported my efforts to help families and helped me develop into a well-rounded child care worker. I am very grateful to work here and for the opportunities I have experienced through my career here." </p><p>Congratulations to Jake on this much deserved award and for making a difference in the lives of so many.</p> | 2018-11-12T06:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Jake" src="/locations/nebraska/news-and-events/PublishingImages/Jake_news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Nebraska;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town Washington D.C. hosts Trunk or Treat
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
Boys Town Washington D.C. hosts Trunk or Treat
| <p>On October 30, Boys Town Washington D.C. hosted a Trunk or Treat for the second year. </p><p>Last year the event was exclusively for the Boys Town kids but this year they decided to make it into a community event for everyone to come and partake in the spooky fun and Halloween celebration. </p><p>The turnout for this year included Family Home children, Care Coordination families and community kids. The local Fire Department also stopped by and during their visit they got an emergency call, so the kids got to see the firefighters in action and a lightshow from the firetruck. </p><p>The event was a great way to celebrate Halloween and also raise awareness of Boys Town.</p><p>"Boys Town is all about family and community," said Wesley Tomlinson, Development Coordinator, Boys Town Washington D.C. "Events like this help raise awareness for our mission but also create a safe and fun environment for other families to enjoy. It's always really great seeing all of our children and families come together." </p><p>Costume highlights included Laura Santa-Maria, Director of Family Home Program, Boys Town Washington D.C., who dressed up as a character from the movie Coco, a Family-Teaching couple who brought their daughter dressed as a cute Minnie Mouse and a skeleton from Day of the Dead. </p><p>Thanks to everyone who came out to Boys Town and participated in this year's Halloween celebration. It was spooktacular! </p><p><img src="/locations/washington-dc/news-and-events/PublishingImages/car-1.jpg" alt="Jurrasic Car" style="margin:5px;width:434px;" /><br></p> | 2018-11-02T05:00:00Z | News | <img alt="Halloween Trunk or Treat" src="/locations/washington-dc/news-and-events/PublishingImages/car-2.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Washington DC;# | | | |
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
State Farm Donation Benefits Boys Town Youth Drivers Education
| Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips |
State Farm Donation Benefits Boys Town Youth Drivers Education
| <p>On Friday, Sept. 21, State Farm presented a generous donation of $15,000 at the Cowboys' homecoming football game to help provide driver's education cost for the Boys Town youth. </p><p>State Farm's mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. By providing this donation State Farm is truly making a difference in the lives of so many here at Boys Town. </p><p>In 2016, there were 2,820 fatal teen driving accidents and it continues to be the leading cause of death in teens. The donation will go toward educating Boys Town students to be the best drivers possible. </p><p>"The importance of driver education is not only a pivotal part of new drivers foundation, it also builds confidence," said Anthony Anderson, State Farm Agent. "Boys Town's stewardship of young people aligns with State Farms dedication to the drivers of tomorrow."</p><p>At the game the Nebraska State Patrol also demonstrated a "seatbelt convincer" showing the importance of wearing a seatbelt at all times. </p><p>Every year, approximately 75 Boys Town juniors and seniors take driver's education at Cornhusker Driving School. </p><p>Big thank you to State Farm on this generous donation for our youth at Boys Town that will ensure our youth receive the skills needed to become safe drivers in order to protect themselves and those in the community as well.</p> | 2018-10-22T05:00:00Z | News | <img alt="State Farm Check Presentation" src="/locations/nebraska/news-and-events/PublishingImages/SF_checkpresentation.jpg?RenditionID=2" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Nebraska;# | | | |
