Can you tell me how long you have been with Boys Town?
“I have been with Boys Town since October 2014. I started in Omaha, Nebraska, on Home Campus as an Assistant Family-Teacher. Then I was promoted to Senior Assistant-Family Teacher. After a few years, I worked in Foster Family Services. In 2021, I moved to South Florida to join Care Coordination Services with the local Boys Town site, and I love to live in South Florida. However, there is a good opportunity to go back to Nebraska, and I will be in a new position on Boys Town's Home Campus as a Family Home Program Consultant."
Can you share your story of being at Boys Town in Omaha?
“Before working with Boys Town, I was sent to live there by my adoptive family when I was 17 years old. I was very rebellious and felt that I never belonged with my adoptive family. It was a very traumatic experience because I wanted to graduate with my friends, but living at Boys Town and graduating from high school there was one of the best things that happened to me. When I graduated in 2004, I decided to do hair for about 10 years, but I always knew I wanted to go back to Boys Town because I learned a lot about myself and life in general when I was there. I always felt I wanted to give back. My former Assistant Family-Teacher when I was at the Boys Town Home Campus was Stacey Romero, who I also kept in contact with over the years, and she told me, 'Yes, you should apply to be an Assistant Family-Teacher.' So that is when I decided to work at Boys Town, and I never looked back."
What does Boys Town mean to you?
“Boys Town is important to me because it has done so many positive things for me. I have worked here long enough to see the positive things I am doing. I really believe in it. I am usually outspoken and passionate about it because I want to see Boys Town succeed and help as many kids as we can. I know it makes a difference."
Can you share a time when you were living at Boys Town at age 17 that made a positive impact on your life?
“It was during Christmastime, which is a big deal on Home Campus. Family-Teachers, and all the staff, want to make sure kids have that special day because, in most situations, kids have not lived the full experience of Christmas. On Christmas day, we were all opening our gifts and there was this one pair of Nike shoes that I wanted so bad! It was one of those things that I knew my parents would say, 'No, you don't need them, you have plenty of shoes.' But when I opened my gift, I burst into tears crying because it just meant so much to me to be gifted that pair of shoes that I so wanted. I felt heard and loved. My Family-Teachers really knew me. They were listening, they saw me, then they brought it through. I saved those Nike's shoes for many years."
Tasha's First Christmas with Boys Town
Who do you consider family?
“My spouse is my family, and I got in contact with my birth family. I am very close with my biological brother and my nieces. It wasn't until I turned 18 years old when I was able to reach out to them. I am beyond grateful to my adoptive parents for being caring enough to send me to Boys Town because I learned a lot about myself when I was there. Even though we had our problems, that is one of those things I will always be grateful for."