John, age 14, had 15 prior
placements before coming to Boys Town all in three years. He ran away three times this
week. That is how he got 15 placements before he arrived here.
Here is George, age 11, with cigarette burns on his arms when he came to Boys Town.
Here’s Tom, age 13. He was chained to a bed by his foster father for the last six
years when he wasn’t in school and was beaten on a regular basis.
Here’s Mary, aged 16, sexually abused by her father and grandfather since the age
of eight. She is extremely promiscuous. She feels rotten about herself. She does not know
how to seek affection except in a way that will punish her and make her feel cheap and
lousy about herself.
Here is Lora. She was raped by her mother’s boyfriend at age six. She was sexually
abused until she was 11 when she became a prostitute. At age 12 1/2 she was admitted to
Boys Town.
Here is Sam. His mom and dad were pretty much like most moms and dads today. They
worked hard and successfully raised Sam’s three older brothers. Why Sam was so truant
and mixed up in drugs and shoplifting is a mystery to them.
These are kids with problems, lots of problems. They have been through a lot already in
their young lives. They have been abandoned, abused, and neglected or simply alienated
from others. They cannot make it at home, in school, or in the community. That is why they
come to Boys Town.
(Reprinted from What Makes Boys Town So Special with permission from Boys Town)
