As we step into a new year, Boys Town reflects on the many achievements that defined 2024 and advanced its mission of hope and healing.
From new documentaries and mental health initiatives to groundbreaking research and international recognition, the organization has continued to make a difference. This year also marked the celebration of cherished traditions and the introduction of innovative tools to support youth and families.
Let’s revisit some of the standout moments that defined Boys Town’s 2024 ► ►
🎥 Lights, Camera, Action: Boys Town and Father Flanagan featured in two new documentaries
In 2024, Boys Town was featured in two powerful documentaries that highlighted its rich history and continued impact. The world premiere of Heart of a Servant took place at the Village of Boys Town, showcasing Father Flanagan's legacy of service. Additionally, Blue Baby brought attention to the critical issue of mental health, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and preventive care to keep young people out of the judicial system. See photos from the World Premiere event for Heart of a Servant ► ►
📱 Empowering Teens: Boys Town Launches New Mental Health Mood Journaling App
Boys Town has launched a mood journaling app designed specifically for teens, providing a safe and accessible tool to help them track and manage their emotions. The app aims to encourage self-reflection, improve mental health awareness, and promote early intervention by helping teens recognize patterns in their moods and behaviors. Learn more and download the new app ► ►
🇺🇸 Honoring a Hero: Omaha Sailor (and former Boys Town youth) killed in Pearl Harbor Raid was Reburied after Remains Identified
Navy Seaman 2nd Class George A. Thompson, a Boys Town alum, was reburied with full military honors over 80 years after his death in the Pearl Harbor attack. His remains, identified through extensive forensic efforts, were laid to rest in Hawaii's National Memorial Cemetery. Boys Town commemorates Thompson's service and sacrifice, preserving his legacy as one of its first alumni to die in World War II. His story reflects the enduring values instilled by Boys Town founder Father Flanagan ►►
🏆 Celebrating Excellence: Boys Town Graduate Named PAL Youth of the Year
A Boys Town graduate was honored as the Police Athletic League (PAL) Youth of the Year, recognizing their leadership, resilience, and dedication to community service. This award celebrates the positive impact Boys Town alumni have, showcasing the transformative power of support and mentorship. Watch his story ► ►
💛 Innovative Research: Boys Town National Research Hospital Reaches Across the US and Internationally
Continuing to lead the way in communication disorders, our research team showcased world-class, life-changing results at seven international conferences, including those in Denmark, Prague, and British Columbia. Additionally, our Boys Town Research Vehicle (BTRV), a mobile research laboratory equipped with hospital-grade equipment for testing hearing and speech, embarked on an incredible journey, delivering research and services across the US. These efforts underscore Boys Town’s commitment to improving lives through science and community engagement ►►
🙏 New Spiritual Leader: Welcoming Father Jeff Mollner to Boys Town
Boys Town has welcomed Father Jeff Mollner as its new spiritual leader. A native of Omaha, Father Mollner brings a deep connection to the community and a commitment to guiding the organization’s faith-centered mission. His leadership aims to support Boys Town’s spiritual initiatives and foster hope and healing for youth and families.
🏡 Empowering Young Women: Celebrating 45 Years of Girls at Boys Town
Boys Town celebrated 45 years of empowering girls, marking a milestone in its mission to provide equal opportunities for all youth. The program’s evolution has fostered resilience and success in countless young women, offering support tailored to their unique challenges.
🏫 Award-Winning Design: Boys Town Education Center Honored for Excellence
This award recognizes the center's innovative use of concrete, particularly its exterior façade, which features a 16 x 30-foot precast concrete mural inspired by Boys Town's historical facilities. The mural was created using advanced graphic concrete technology from Finland, showcasing a unique brick pattern that celebrates Boys Town's rich history. This achievement underscores the center's commitment to exceptional design and construction standards.
💙 Pioneering Inclusion: Boys Town's Legacy as America's First Integrated Community
Father Edward J. Flanagan founded Boys Town in 1917 as one of America's first intentionally integrated communities, welcoming boys of all races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. Despite facing criticism and segregation laws in Omaha, he relocated the Home for Boys to Overlook Farm, creating the Village of Boys Town. His unwavering commitment to equality and inclusion remains central to Boys Town's mission today.
🔔 Reviving Tradition: Bells Ring Again at Dowd Memorial Chapel
The bells of Dowd Memorial Catholic Chapel at Boys Town have been restored and rung again for the first time in decades, marking a revival of a cherished tradition. The restored bells, which were originally installed in 1949, now serve as a symbol of faith and continuity, connecting the past to the present. This effort underscores Boys Town’s dedication to preserving its historical and spiritual heritage.
🎲 Boys Town Lands Coveted Spot in Omaha's Monopoly Edition!
The Omaha Edition of MONOPOLY has been released, featuring Boys Town among the city's iconic landmarks. This special edition also includes sites like Zorinsky Lake Park, Joslyn Art Museum, and the Old Market, highlighting Omaha's rich cultural heritage. According to Sarah Bowman of Top Trumps USA, the game aims to celebrate Omaha's dynamic communities, making it a cherished keepsake for both locals and visitors. You can order your copy of Omaha Monopoly today and celebrate being part of this memorable moment in Boys Town history.
🙌 Actor Trent Garrett Champions 'Power of Praise' at West Gate Elementary
In March 2024, actor Trent Garrett collaborated with Boys Town South Florida at West Gate Elementary School to emphasize the transformative impact of positive reinforcement on children's development. During the interactive session, students crafted "Praiselets"—bracelets serving as personal reminders of self-affirmation. Executive Director Bethany Lacey highlighted that offering four praises for every corrective interaction can significantly enhance a child's behavior and success. This initiative is part of Boys Town's broader efforts to foster supportive environments through their LIFT Together program in partnership with The School District of Palm Beach County.
👟 Patriots' Caedan Wallace Showcases Boys Town in 'My Cause My Cleats' Initiative
New England Patriots rookie offensive tackle Caedan Wallace has partnered with Boys Town New England for the NFL's "My Cause My Cleats" campaign. Unveiled at Boys Town New England's Bazarsky Campus in Portsmouth, his custom cleats were designed and hand-painted by students from Boys Town High School's art class in Omaha, Nebraska. The cleats feature phrases like "Teach Love," "Foster Care," and "He ain't heavy, he's my brother," reflecting Boys Town's mission of empowering youth and promoting resilience.
⭐ From Boys Town to Big Screen: Luke Hawx Inspires Future Generations
Luke Hawx, a former Boys Town resident, has transformed his life from a tumultuous childhood to a successful career as an actor, stuntman, and professional wrestler. Reflecting on his time at Boys Town, Hawx credits the organization for providing the discipline and structure that set him on a path to success. In January 2024, he returned to Boys Town to share his journey with current students, emphasizing that their past does not define their future and that with determination, anything is possible. His story serves as a testament to the life-changing impact of Boys Town's mission to save children and heal families.
⚾ Darryl Strawberry Shares Message of Hope with Boys Town Students
On April 30, 2024, former Major League Baseball star Darryl Strawberry visited Boys Town to speak with students ahead of the organization's Booster Banquet. At 62, Strawberry has transitioned into a minister, using his platform to inspire others. He encouraged the students not to let their struggles define them, emphasizing that everyone possesses inherent greatness and potential. Reflecting on his own challenges during his 17-year MLB career, Strawberry highlighted the importance of resilience and maintaining a positive outlook.
🦻 Boys Town Appoints Dr. Lisa Goffman as Endowed Chair in Childhood Deafness, Language, and Learning
Boys Town National Research Hospital has appointed Lisa Goffman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, as the new Endowed Chair in the Center on Childhood Deafness, Language, and Learning. Dr. Goffman's research focuses on how children with developmental language disorder (DLD) acquire language and motor abilities, exploring the interactions between language, cognitive, and motor skills to develop effective assessment and intervention approaches. With over 25 years of funding from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, she previously held positions at Purdue University and the University of Texas at Dallas.
💖 Alice Johnson Inspires Boys Town Students with Her Journey from Incarceration to Advocacy
Criminal justice advocate Alice Johnson visited Boys Town to share her transformative journey from a life sentence to becoming a beacon of hope for incarcerated individuals. Her story resonated deeply with students like Bella and Robson, who have overcome their own challenges and now aspire to effect positive change in their communities. Johnson emphasized the importance of preventive measures and early intervention to steer youth away from criminal activities, advocating for a shift in mindset and behavior. Through her foundation, Taking Action for Good, she continues to champion criminal justice reform and inspire the next generation.
