Charity profile

Established in 1958 as Boys Town, the modern Girls and Boys Town helps South African boys, girls and their families overburdened by the weight of life circumstances to choose a positive path to cope - and S.H.I.N.E.®. Over 20 000 vulnerable youth benefit annually from the donor-funded professional therapeutic and support services we deliver through our 10 residential facilities and our SACE accredited training programmes intended for parents, educational bodies, schools and professionals who are in contact with youth and children.

Our unique S.H.I.N.E.® programme, proven peer group system and best-practice guidance and support services help our youth to build the purpose, values, independence, skill and grit needed to overturn damage and restore light, meaning and purpose in their worlds. Longitudinal research initiated in 2009 tracks the impact of Girls and Boys Town care on the many lives we touch to prove real paybacks to families, communities, society and local and national economies.

To learn more and make a difference in the work we do, visit: www.girlsandboystown.org.za