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Girls & Boys Town South Africa, which is based on the non-denominational principles of Father Flanagan’s famous Girls & Boys Town in Nebraska, USA was founded in 1958 by Bishop Reginald Joseph Orsmond. The Girls & Boys Town movement commenced with the establishment of Boys Town Magaliesburg, Gauteng in 1958. Today, the organisation operates facilities in the main centres of South Africa. The residential programmes provide care and development for youth who range from the disadvantaged, deprived, abused and neglected to those regarded as being difficult to manage and ‘at risk.’
On the 6 November 2004, the organisation changed its name to ‘Girls & Boys Town South Africa’ and will admit the first girls to its Claremont Family Home in Cape Town in January 2005.
The unique feature of the Girls & Boys Town movement in South Africa is the ‘peer-group’ (self-government) system where youth are significantly involved in decision-making concerning their own affairs. Youngsters govern themselves under the guidance of adults. Promotion and progress are determined by the youth’s maturity of thought, ability to master the social skills programme and readiness to accept responsibility within the Girls & Boys Town society.
Today, Girls & Boys Town South Africa has a proud record of success spanning almost 50 years and is regarded by professionals and the general public as the leader in helping youth where others have given up hope.
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