Father Flanagan's Faith-Driven Vision Still Guides Us
Father Flanagan believed that all children deserved a loving home and a chance to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances. He also believed a key element in helping children succeed was having them practice their faith and pray, although how they did that was up to them.
Help lost children find faith and their God-given potential.
The basic tenet of most faiths is love. Loving others is critical because we’re all in this together. Sadly, many youth who come to Boys Town haven’t experienced love, so it must be taught and practiced.
With your support, we can continue to provide kids across America with a strong spiritual foundation, that can help them heal and find strength for the rest of their lives.
The Importance of Faith at Boys Town
At Boys Town, we are trying to teach our children about God, as believing in Almighty God is essential for doing anything meaningful.
The role that faith plays at Boys Town is immense; without faith, it wouldn't truly be Boys Town.
Children arrive with varying levels of faith, and whether they come with strong faith or little faith, gaining a sense of belief helps them heal, become better citizens, and contribute positively to society.
Faith became important to me shortly after I arrived. Initially, I struggled to quiet my mind and had nothing to turn to but God. Since then, God has become a crucial part of my life. I pray every day, starting my mornings on my knees, which helps me throughout the day. Without God, I feel one isn't truly living, as He is the only one you can truly count on. Faith gives hope and a sense of agency; it empowers individuals to change their lives. Last year was particularly hard for me, marked by the deaths of significant figures, including a beloved family teacher who lost his battle with cancer. In my grief, instead of channeling my anger negatively, I sought solace in the Bible, finding passages that helped me through those tough times. Each year at graduation, many kids express gratitude for Boys Town and its people for teaching them to integrate God into their lives. Boys Town has shown me that no matter where I am, I am never far from the love of God. He has always been there, even when I couldn't see Him. I have transformed into a new person and no longer feel alone or broken; Boys Town saved me.