Your interest in Boysville is welcome and
appreciated. Here are some of the questions we're often asked about the
place our boys and girls call "home."
What kinds of children do you have at Boysville?
We
have boys and girls of all racial, religious and socioeconomic
backgrounds, from all over South Texas. Children come to Boysville
because of abuse, neglect, abandonment or family disruption. They are
basically good kids who have gotten some hard knocks in life. Since
Boysville first opened its doors in 1943, we have provided a safe,
structured and family-like home for wayward boys. Since 1986 that same
care has been extended to girls. Our main concern when considering a
child for placement is this: Are we capable of meeting this child’s
needs?
Who is responsible for placing children at Boysville?
Most
often a parent or relative has determined that a child would be better
off living at Boysville than in his or her current situation in the
family's home. In about half of the cases, a child is referred through
a social services agency. About one in four of our children is placed
by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services or the court
system.
How long does a child stay at Boysville?
Depends.
We work with the parents and the child to reunite the family. Once
goals are met, we recommend that the child return to the parent, if the
parent and child is ready. Of course privately placed children may
leave at any time upon the request of the parent.
Do the children receive religious instruction?
While
Boysville is, and always has been, a non-sectarian home for children,
we believe that spiritual development is vital to healing the wounds of
abuse and neglect. Our children attend church and Sunday School with
their cottage family each week. Also, prayers are spoken at every meal
and devotions are given every morning. For special services, we gather
in a small, non-denominational chapel on campus.
Where do the children go to school?
All
of our long-term residents attend public schools nearby in the
acclaimed Judson Independent School District. Boysville has enjoyed a
strong and positive relationship with district faculty and
administrators for over 40 years. We also have tutors available in our
Spencer Library for students needing additional help with their school
work. Children in our Emergency Shelter attend school daily in the
Thompson Learning Center at Boysville, which is an official campus of
the Judson School District, and staffed by full-time district
educators.
What happens when a child completes high school?
Some
Boysville alumni join the work force directly, some acquire additional
vocational training, some enter military service, and others enter
college on scholarship assistance from Boysville.
Why would a child not be admitted to Boysville?
Children
who have exhibited gang affiliation, drug or alcohol abuse, have a
history of chronic runaway or extreme aggressive behavior or inability
to work within limits set by an appropriate caregiver or have a history
of fire setting or cruelty to animals cannot live at Boysville.
How old are the children in your residential care program?
Children
are normally ages five through 18 (kindergarten through high school).
However, occasionally Boysville accepts younger children when they have
older siblings here. Typically, brothers may live together in a boys'
cottage, or sisters may live together in a girls' cottage-this is one
of the advantages of our family-based care environment.
Who are the legal guardians of the boys and girls?
The
parent or court-appointed person or agency that place the child at
Boysville is the guardian. The courts, exercising their power, often
directly place children at Boysville.
What type of facilities do you have?
Our
pastoral campus setting is centered around nine residential cottages.
Recreational facilities include our Chrysanthemum Gymnasium with the
Holden Basketball Court, weight room and game room; a swimming pool;
and several outdoor recreation areas, including ball fields and play
structures. Educational facilities include the Thompson Learning Center
with a library, computer lab and classroom. We have a Chapel, an Arts
& Crafts room and a 4-H Building. We also have an Administration
Building, a Commissary, a Barn and Farm Buildings, two Greenhouses, and
a Picnic Pavilion. In addition, the Thompson Emergency Shelter &
Counseling Center was built in 1995 to provide a safe haven to children
in immediate danger, as well as assessment services for all referrals.
What are the living arrangements?
A
family arrangement is maintained in each cottage. The cottage family is
headed by Houseparents-a married couple who serve as the primary
provider for the children's daily needs. The Houseparents form a warm,
caring family with their youth as they guide and instruct them on a
24-hour basis, seeing that their physical, spiritual, social and
emotional needs are met. It's a full-time vocation, and while they are
assisted in their work by other child care professionals, the
Houseparents are responsible for the majority of basic behavioral,
disciplinary and living skills that are taught to each boy or girl.
Many of our Houseparents also have their own children living with them.
Cottage homes are single gender and each has a group of eight to twelve
boys or girls.
Do Houseparents have other jobs?
No.
Being a positive adult role model, counseling, teaching, loving and
caring for up to twelve troubled youngsters is challenging career in
itself. However, some of our Houseparents have additional
responsibilities on campus during the time their children are at
school.
Where is Boysville located?
Boysville
has its sole campus northeast of San Antonio, Texas in the city limits
of Converse. It's located at 8555 East Loop 1604 North, across from
Randolph AFB and just up the road from Judson High School. (Boysville
is not affiliated with any national or international children's home.)
What other programs and services do you offer? - Therapeutic Counseling including Individual, Group, Family
- Mentoring (in conjunction with the Southwest Winners Foundation)
- 4-H Club
- Bexar County Junior Livestock
- Horticulture
- Arts & Crafts
- Compensatory Education: Tutoring, Study hall, Daily & weekly academic progress monitoring, Summer School
- Athletic & Sports activities
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- BMX bike racing
- Little League Baseball
- National Home Olympics Games
- Camp Wildbeast
- Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts
- Therapeutic Horse Program
- Life Skills Training through P.A.L. (Preparation for Adult Living)