Boys Town: A century of help, strength and hope

Dear Neighbor,

On December 12, 1917, Father Edward J. Flanagan welcomed a small group of wayward boys to their new home in a rundown boardinghouse at 25th and Dodge Streets in downtown Omaha.

Boys Town has a wonderful story to tell about its history and legacy as a part of the Omaha-area community. It is a story that started on the streets of the city with the impossible dream of a young immigrant priest. It is the story of hope, perseverance and overcoming tremendous odds. Fortunately, for children and families today and tomorrow, it is a story of healing that will continue far into the future.

Today, Boys Town is a far cry from the small home for boys that opened at 25th and Dodge Streets a century ago.

In 1917, a young immigrant priest from Ireland had grown discouraged in his work with homeless, destitute men in Omaha. So in December of that year, Father Edward J. Flanagan borrowed $90 from a friend, Omaha attorney and businessman Henry Monsky, and rented a drafty Victorian-style boardinghouse at 25th and Dodge Streets to open his first Home for Boys.

Father Flanagan welcomed all boys, regardless of their race or religion (something that was unheard of in that era), and homeless and delinquent youngsters from all over Omaha and beyond began showing up at the doorstep.

Boys Town’s impact is best defined by the personal, real-life stories of boys and girls (and parents and families) whose lives were changed for the better with our help. Their stories are dramatic and heartbreaking, but ultimately triumphant. By learning life skills, achieving academic goals and building trusting relationships, they have made the most of their second chances and turned their lives around.

Today, these children are responsible adults who may be your neighbor, a co-worker or just someone you meet in the course of everyday life. Boys Town kids are EVERYWHERE!

These are just some of the memorable events that shaped Boys Town’s 100-year history and paved the way for us to move into our second century of service to America’s children, families and communities. 

December 12, 1917

Boys Town National Research Hospital has never been afraid of change. In fact, it’s been our mission since opening in 1977: To change the way America cares for children, families and communities.

We change lives every day by using virtual technology to conduct hearing research in ways no one thought possible. We study the vestibular system to change how balance disorders are diagnosed and treated. We use video games and brain scans to change the path of a troubled child’s life. We change the way tiny ears are fitted with hearing aids and how children see and hear the sights and sounds of the world around them.

Boys Town really began when Father Flanagan experienced a miracle in his own heart, a miracle of caring and faith that led him to open his Home for Boys. That single act ignited the priest’s even more-ambitious campaign to change and transform America’s child care system.

At 100 years strong, Boys Town is proud of its legacy of service and its commitment to the well-being of children, families and communities. Our roots run deep and everything we do today has been layered onto the solid foundation of what Boys Town has accomplished over the past century.

Join us for these Boys Town events and attractions:

Dec. 9: Boys Town Christmas Family Festival

» The Village of Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska, is a community of more than 400 boys and girls who live in single-family homes, attend Boys Town schools and learn skills that prepare them for life as productive citizens.

 » The United States Mint created a set of three commemorative coins to mark Boys Town’s Centennial.