Boys Town in Oviedo Offers Stability and Hope for Children in Crisis

For many children in Oviedo, Florida, Boys Town is more than just a place to stay. It is a lifeline. Tucked away in Central Florida, this organization provides a safe, structured home for young people who have faced unimaginable hardships, abuse, neglect, and instability that no child should ever have to endure.

Angela Turner and her husband, Javarro Rooks, have dedicated 11 years of their lives to this mission. Living full-time on-site, they open their hearts and their home to the children placed in their care. They don’t just act as caregivers; they become family.

“To me, this is their home. I treat them just like they’re my kids,” Turner shared. “We’re going to be there for them, whether they need someone in court or someone to talk to. We’ll make sure they get the support to be successful.”

Turner and Rooks have four children of their own, who have grown up alongside the youth at Boys Town. Together, they have created a family where everyone feels accepted, valued, and safe.

Rooks explained why stepping up matters so much. “If you don’t step in, they’re going to lose themselves in the system,” he said. “They’d become another statistic, getting into trouble or worse. I wouldn’t want that for my kids. I’d want a place like Boys Town to be there for them.”

Boys Town Central Florida is part of a national organization that has been helping children for over 100 years. The Oviedo campus has five residential homes, each housing up to six children. Executive Director Laurie Stern knows every child’s story and works to match them with the right family.

Stern often hears people ask what a Boys Town child looks like. “Like any other kid,” she says. “The difference is that our youth have survived horrific situations. If you ask them where they saw themselves before Boys Town, many say they’d likely be homeless, incarcerated, or addicted to drugs. They know this place changed their path.”

But the work doesn’t end when children arrive. In Florida, young people age out of the foster care system when they turn 18, even if they are still in high school. For Turner and Rooks, helping kids prepare for adulthood is urgent.

“You feel the clock ticking,” Turner said. “We had a boy come to us last month. He turns 18 soon, and we have a lot to do to help him be ready to leave here and succeed.”

Though the road that brings children to Boys Town can be painful, the journey forward is filled with care and hope. Here, each child is given the chance to heal, grow, and believe in a brighter future.