Father Flanagan established Boys Town in 1917.

The work will continue you see, whether I am there or not, because it is God's work, not mine.

–Father Flanagan, founder of Boys Town

The more information that is gathered about social trends and the causes of marginal behavior in adults, the more it becomes clear that children who are mistreated or grow up with absent fathers or as orphans are at increased risk of engaging in such marginal behavior in adulthood. In Omaha, Nebraska, in 1917, a 31-year-old Irish priest named Father Edward J. Flanagan had learned this lesson through observation. As a young priest, he ran a charity called the Workingmen’s Hotel, designed to assist down-and-out workers in the city of Omaha. In the course of his work, he heard the stories of those availing themselves of this charitable institution, and he began to discover that the seeds of difficulties in adulthood are often sown in childhood. For this reason, he asked for permission from the Archbishop to start a home designed to help young boys who were troubled, neglected, orphans or victims of abuse. The Archbishop, believing in the importance of this goal, released Father Flanagan from all his regular duties so that he might concentrate exclusively on his mission. Quarters were found and the first month’s rent was donated by a friend of Flanagan’s whose name is unknown (but who is believed to have been local Jewish attorney Henry Monsky). Boys Town began fulfilling its mission right away, as young boys began to arrive in short order. Soon, larger quarters were required, and the German-American home, largely abandoned after the U.S. declaration of war against Germany in April 1917, became the new location for the charity. Since then, the name has been changed to Girls and Boys Town, and the charity has expanded to new facilities and added educational facilities to the many services they provide to youths in need.

Science NetLinks
In Orphan Trains (6–8), students examine social trade-offs in the context of the Orphan Trains and society's treatment of children whose parents can longer care for them. Gaining an understanding of the concept of social trade-offs may be one of the most important components of a comprehensive education. In this lesson, students develop their ideas about social trade-offs by examining the history of the Orphan Trains and the New York Children's Aid Society, created in 1853.

Emotion Perception (6–12) is a Science Update that helps students learn about child abuse and its long-term effects. Students learn about a study that may help explain why the effects of child abuse linger long after the child is separated from the abusers.

EconEdLink
In A Moo-ving Experience (6–8), students learn about nonprofit organizations and the challenges they face in their fundraising efforts. Students distinguish between different types of nonprofit organizations and study their involvement in different activities. One feature common to most nonprofit organizations is their need to raise funds to provide services and activities, many of which they provide free.