BOYSTOWN
Focus:
This
will be an image video placed on Facebook that highlights the comprehensive
continuum of care that is provided by Boys Town across the nation for at risk
young men and women. By highlighting these extensive
programs they can tell the story of how they not only help educate boys and
girls, but they also provide a much needed alternative to the nation’s
fragmented and overburdened child- and family-care system.
“Right now, in communities throughout the country, hundreds of
thousands of children are living in fear, seeking guidance and in desperate
need of compassion. Powerful forces are also at work tearing at the fabric of
our families. Wherever these children and families are hurting, Boys Town is
helping” (www.boystown.org).
According to the Boys Town website, their mission is to reunite kids with their families, find foster homes for others, provide a Boys Town family for those with nowhere else to turn, and finally, help these youth in their own homes where they can remain together as families. Boys Town is so closely identified with Father Flanagan and the home in Nebraska that most of their donors are not aware of the other services they offer that go beyond this stage of life. They have a unique Integrated Continuum of CareSM that is unique, but awareness seems to end at their intensive residential treatment centers. In addition to this aspect of their cause, the Integrated Continuum offers these additional levels of care:
Audience:
Boys Town is heavily supported
and dependent on individual donations from Middle America. These grandmothers
are 70+ years old, support multiple social causes, are active in their church
and are mostly catholic. Their songbird is that they feel strongly in making a
difference in the lives of young boys by providing a Christian based lifestyle
and education that sets them on the right path in life. They are traditional, nostalgic, and represent the silent generation’s values. These traditionalists grew up during lean times and are civic-minded and loyal to their country. Raised in a paternalistic environment, they were taught to respect authority and believe that philanthropy is important to leading a fulfilled life. While they are less technologically adept than younger generations, they are very active on Facebook. These grandmas have embraced the social network to stay in touch with their grandchildren and extended families, and spend a considerable amount of time on the network. The chart below from emarketer shows the adoption rate of social networks by age:
Content Points:
- Boys Town’s Continuum of Care may start with the children, but they care for the whole family
- Family reunification is always the ultimate goal.
- Boys Town is also committed to fundamental values such as safety, permanency and well-being; family engagement; and religion and faith.
Boys Town Continuum of Care
Shooting Script
2 minute video
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Video
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Audio
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1.
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Back
alley with a garbage can fire keeping a small group of homeless teenagers
warm. They are smoking and have no coats.
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(VO:
middle aged, Caucasian man’s voice) “Our nation suffers from a fragmented and
overburdened child and family care system”.
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2.
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Picture
of Boys Town Campus with kids sitting in a residential home’s living room
relaxing.
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(VO)
“But for almost 100 years, Boys Town has been working to change the way
America cares for children, families and communities.”
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3.
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Black
and White portrait of Father Flanagan
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(VO: man in the voice of Father Flanagan)
“The poor, innocent, unfortunate little children belong to
us, and it is our problem to give them every chance to develop into good men
and good women.”
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4.
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Image
of Father Flanagan fades and is replaced by old B&W photograph of
children at Boys Town
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(VO) “Father Flanagan founded Boys Town in Omaha,
Nebraska as a home for boys of all races and
creeds.”
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5.
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Image
of the old B&W children blended with the modern smiling African American
family.
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(VO) “It's amazing to see how his dream has grown from
helping orphaned boys to providing care for the
entire family. Care that instills Boys Town values that strengthen body, mind
and spirit.”
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6.
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(MS) Boys sitting in a residential home doing homework and helping
each other.
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(VO: Boys Town teacher Tony) “Some of these
children have never had a sense of belonging, and they leave here knowing
that they are a part of a community, a community that will be there for them
through their lives.”
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7.
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(MS) Boys interacting, throwing football with Tony on a fall day
with colored leaves and trees
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(VO: Tony) “Boys Town gives them a sense of
pride and a safe environment, but there is so much more to Boys Town once
they leave.”
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8.
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Cut to statistical slide on families
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(VO) “Sometimes caring isn’t enough.”
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9.
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(MS) A group of 4 children aged 10 – 16 in a residential home
kitchen with home parents making a meal, laughing and interacting.
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(VO: Boys Town Social Services Director)
“Sometimes the whole family is hurting, and the whole family needs help. We
help parents with coping skills and parenting skills. And sometimes we have
to help the brothers and sisters to understand how to reconnect as a family when
one of their siblings comes home.”
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10.
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Family with husband, wife, 2 children (one is
Tyler) sitting on the veranda drinking iced tea.
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(VO: Mom) “I used to get so angry and frustrated I just
didn’t know how to cope. Boys Town taught me that I was not alone, and lots
of people get overwhelmed. They worked with me and Bob to deal better with
life and with my problems. And they showed me how my attitude and our constant
fighting were really bad for Tyler and that is why he ran away.”
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11.
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CS Shot of Tyler, smiling, looking relaxed.
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(VO:
Tyler) “I never thought I had a chance in life, but now I don’t ever want to
go back to the street. Someday I want to have my own family that I can look
after. Now I believe in second chances. Boys Town gave me and my family a second
chance and I won’t let them down”.
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12.
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Boys Town Logo.
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(VO) “Children and families of
all races and creeds find support at Boys Town because, as Father Flanagan
said, we are all brothers and sisters.”
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13.
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Fade in
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(VO) “Help us keep
the dream alive.”
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