OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - On that day in 1917, one man began to change the way America takes care of troubled children.

Father Edward Flanagan borrowed $90 to rent a boarding house at 25th and Dodge.

It was the official opening of Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys, which would eventually grow to become Boys Town .

Father Flanagan accepted children of all races and religions — something that was unheard of at the time.

He had grown discouraged working with homeless men but became convinced that if children were given love, a home, education, and a trade, they could all grow to be productive citizens.

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