As we embark on a new school year, I want to extend a warm welcome to all our students and families served by Boys Town South Florida, and to thank our donors and funders who support our mission along the way. While this is an exciting time filled with the promise of new beginnings and opportunities for growth, there are girls, boys and families out there facing challenges such as mental health and behavioral issues, parental conflicts, illness, addiction and academic concerns. Our commitment to children’s well-being and development remains our top priority, and that is why when we help a child, we also engage caregivers because the rate of success for a child in trouble who has ongoing support from a caring adult is exponentially higher.
One of our key focuses as we partner with parents, caregivers and educators is to ensure youth have the skills they need to navigate school, group activities and life’s challenges in a positive way. Boys Town’s mission is to change the way we care for children and families, and the essential elements of our research-based Boys Town Model® are empathy, love, inclusionary consequences, rewards and a lot of skill building.
For adults interested in parenting training, we will offer free classes starting in August in Palm Beach County. Visit Find a Class to find a parenting class in your area. For additional parenting tips and resources, visit www.parenting.org.
As we move forward, I invite you to join our movement to empower children and families in our community to prevent child abuse and neglect. By staying engaged in our mission and informed, we can collectively create a community where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Here’s to a successful and safe schoolyear ahead! Bethany Lacey