"He ain't heavy, Father...he's my brother."
The Story Behind the Famous Quote
Those iconic words have symbolized the spirit of Boys Town for decades. But many people don’t know how it originated. Watch the video above to see how it all started.
Nearly 75 years later, the motto is still the best description of what our boys and girls at Boys Town learn about the importance of caring for each other and having someone care about them. Read more about this famous phrase and the story behind it on our blog.
Now, we want to know: Who has carried you?
At some point in our lives, most of us have needed to be carried by someone, metaphorically speaking. And, at some point, we probably carried somebody else. We’re human. We stumble. And we look to each other for help when we do.
Share a video and tell us who has carried you, or take it a step further and recreate the iconic He Ain't Heavy pose. Use #HeAintHeavy and make sure to tag Boys Town (@BoysTown on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and @BoysTownVillage on TikTok).
Join the Conversation
Get to Know Father Flanagan
Father Flanagan was a true visionary of his time. His dream and our founding principles are alive today, and are as relevant and applicable as they were when Boys Town first opened its doors more than a century ago. Get to know more about the man who founded Boys Town in this 5-day email series featuring photos and messages of insight and inspiration.