About Us

The mission of Girls and Boys Town is to change
the way America cares for her children and
families, one child and one family at a time.

Founded by Father Edward Flanagan in 1917, Girls and Boys Town is a leader in helping abused, abandoned and neglected children through a unique model of care and a nationwide network of 19 sites in 15 states and the District of Columbia. The organization reaches more than 46,000 children annually in a safe, caring, loving environment to teach them skills for becoming successful, fulfilled and productive citizens.

Since 1991, Girls and Boys Town of Southern California has brought help, healing and hope to hundreds of at-risk children and families every year through a unique set of resources designed to offer assistance that matches the specific needs of each family. At our facilities, children are taught valuable life skills including self-control, self-help and self-discipline.

Services we offer include:

Long-Term Residential Services
Family style living in five residential homes located on 80 acres in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County where children live for an average of 18 months in a loving, caring home to ensure that the children's physical, spiritual, emotional and treatment needs are met.

Assessment and Short-Term Residential Centers
A safe environment at three Los Angeles County locations for girls and boys in crisis, including runaway, homeless, court-placed or abused children, where they can work on treatment goals, learn life skills and problem-solving techniques, identify challenges and make better choices.

Family-Based Services
Trained consultants helping families whose children are at risk for placement outside their home to build a safe, healthy environment by focusing on strengths, self-sufficiency, parenting techniques, problem-solving skills, open communication, accessing community resources and achieving goals.

Girls and Boys Town National Hotline
A toll-free crisis and resource referral service with trained counselors available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the only national hotline accredited by the American Association of Suicidology and the Council on Accreditation of Services for Family and Children, Inc.

National Resource and Training Center
Training and other services in Girls and Boys Town's cutting-edge, child-care technologies and programs for youth care workers, teachers, administrators, juvenile justice organizations and professionals in child welfare, education, family services, juvenile justice and behavioral health with a regional training center in Hollywood.

Girls and Boys Town is a very special and vital resource dedicated to improving the lives of families and children throughout our community. In addition to public funds, we depend on the generosity of individuals, businesses and foundations to expand the reach of these much needed services.

Click here for more information on our programs

Click here for information on how you can help us help more families and children


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