At Boys Town, every day is an opportunity to build brighter futures for children and families across the country. As we reach the halfway point of 2025, we’re proud to reflect on the milestones, impact, and stories of hope that have shaped our year so far. From expanding critical services to celebrating life-changing successes, these key moments highlight our unwavering commitment to healing, strengthening, and empowering those we serve.
Let’s revisit some of the standout moments that defined Boys Town’s first half of the year! ► ►
🎥 Lights, Camera, Action: Boys Town students recently stepped into the spotlight through a dynamic partnership with Next Generation Storytellers
Over the school year, students collaborated with industry professionals to write, direct, and star in their own short films. The experience culminated in a two-day film shoot on campus, where students took on roles such as directors, actors, and cinematographers, working alongside a full professional crew. See the crew in action as their passion for storytelling ignited through the process ► ►
🏈 Current NFL star and former Boys Town youth, Shaquil Barrett, honored with first-ever retired jersey.
At the inaugural Boys Town All-Star Youth Awards, a special presentation was made for Boys Town alum Shaquil Barrett. "This will be the first retired jersey in Boys Town history, and no one will ever wear the number 57 again", stated Athletic Director Paul Bloomencamp. Watch the special video and presentation ► ►
🏡 Transforming School Communities by Addressing Students' Social-Emotional Needs
Boys Town New England's "Lift with Boys Town" program has led to a 58% improvement in school climate and a 15% reduction in disciplinary referrals. By integrating teacher training, parenting support, and student interventions, Lift fosters a collaborative environment where educators, families, and community members work together to support children's mental health and well-being.
🏆 Celebrating Excellence: Boys Town Receives Safety Designation Award from Praesidium
At Boys Town, it’s not enough to say safety and trust are at the heart of our mission. It’s something we act on every day. Boys Town put our safety and abuse protection practices under the microscope of a leading organization, and we’re proud to share the results. The Praesidium Accreditation, a prestigious designation awarded to organizations that demonstrate excellence in safety and adherence to the highest standards in abuse prevention, was recently awarded to Boys Town. Read the article and learn more about this rigorous review ► ►
💛 Innovative Research: Boys Town Research Vehicle Continues to Travel Across the United States
Our Boys Town Research Vehicle (BTRV), a mobile research laboratory equipped with hospital-grade equipment for testing hearing and speech, recently made its inaugural visit to New England, offering free hearing screenings in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Over three days, certified audiologists conducted screenings at Raices Dual Language Academy, Cranston Early Learning Center, and Kings Academy, benefiting more than 50 individuals. These efforts underscore Boys Town’s commitment to improving lives through science and community engagement ► ►
👟 New England Patriots' Caedan Wallace Unveils Custom Cleats in the Village of Boys Town
Designed by Omaha high school students as part of the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” campaign, the cleats, featuring messages like “Teach Love” and “Compete with Character,” now reside in the Boys Town Hall of History in Omaha, NE. Wallace's visit marked the first time an NFL player has partnered with Boys Town for this initiative, highlighting the intersection of art, sports, and community support.
⭐ Celebrating the Achievements of Three Distinguished Scientists Who are Advancing the Fields of Audiology and Neuroscience
Dr. Ryan McCreery, Vice President of Research, has been appointed to the Scientific Council for Childhood Hearing by the Oberkotter Foundation. This role allows him to collaborate with global experts to deepen understanding of childhood hearing loss and its impact on language and literacy development.
Dr. Gabrielle Merchant, Director of the Translational Auditory Physiology and Perception Laboratory, has received the 2025 Early Career Research Award from the American Auditory Society. This prestigious honor recognizes her significant contributions to auditory research, particularly in understanding the correlation between ear infections and hearing loss.
Giorgia Picci, Ph.D., has been named the Haddix Endowed Chair in Developmental Neuroscience. This endowed position reflects Boys Town's ongoing commitment to enhancing translational pediatric neuroscience research. Dr. Picci's research primarily focuses on how early life experiences, such as adversity and trauma exposure, influence neurodevelopment trajectories and adolescent mental health.
🐰 The 16th Annual Beeping Egg Hunt Provides a Sense of Belonging and Connection for Hearing Impaired
This unique Easter event allowed children with visual impairments and their siblings to participate in an egg hunt using their sense of hearing. The plastic eggs, which emitted beeping sounds, were hidden throughout the venue, enabling all participants to enjoy the thrill of discovery.
💗 How One Foster Family's Commitment Changed Countless Lives
When the Teet family started fostering in 2005, they were naturals—exceptional with children of all ages and backgrounds. After adopting, they wanted to do more. They tried again, and again, each time successful. Family challenges didn’t stop them. Health scares didn’t stop them. They persevered because it was their calling. They have adopted five of their placements. Watch their fostering journey in this new video ► ►
🐶 Therapy Dogs are Playing a Pivotal Role in Supporting Children's Emotional and Cognitive Development at Boys Town
In Tallahassee, therapy dog Birdie, part of the Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ) Program helps youth at ART Town build confidence and literacy skills by providing a non-judgmental, comforting presence during reading sessions. Meanwhile, at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Poppy, a 16-week-old Bernedoodle, is being trained to assist the child life team in offering therapeutic support to children and families, aiming to alleviate stress and bring joy during challenging times. These initiatives highlight the profound impact therapy dogs have in fostering emotional well-being and resilience in children.
🏫 New Behavioral Health Clinic Marks Significant Milestone in Expanding Youth Mental Health Services
Boys Town Nevada celebrated the grand opening of its new Behavioral Health Clinic at the Collaboration Center in Las Vegas, marking a significant milestone in expanding access to youth mental health services. The clinic offers comprehensive outpatient care—including individual and family therapy, psychological evaluations, and support for conditions like ADHD, autism, and anxiety—for children and young adults up to age 22.
👏 National Program Accreditation Extended for Next 3 Years
The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) has fully accredited the Boys Town Epilepsy Program as a level 4 epilepsy center for the next three years, 2025-2027. “This accreditation reaffirms the quality and comprehensive care model that we provide our pediatric epilepsy patients,” said Deepak Madhavan, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and VP of Medical Affairs at Boys Town National Research Hospital. “It’s a reflection of our team, research and advancing technology that we can ensure a better quality of life for kids with epilepsy for years to come.”
