Boys Town California

Leaders from the Compton, Calif., community including Eric Perrodin, Mayor of Compton (center), helped Boys Town California cut the ribbon dedicating the new Lennar Campus Assessment and Short-Term Residential Center in East Rancho Dominguez July 15.  View a Slideshow of the Event Help us pave the road to our new shelter — Sponsor a brick on the road to hope. Donate to our Brick Campaign

California’s Lennar Campus Officially Dedicated near Compton

The Lennar Assessment and Short-Term Residential Center in East Rancho Dominguez, Calif., is Boys Town’s third center in Los Angeles County,  serving up to 16 girls at a time and nearly 300 children in California each year.

“The resources provided to make this center a reality is a strong example of Boys Town’s commitment to help children throughout the country,” said Father Steve Boes, Boys Town National Executive Director. “Services offered by facilities like this Lennar Campus are critical in helping some of America’s most severely at-risk children.”

More than 200 guests watched July 15 as Father Boes and Keith Rhodes, Boys Town California Executive Director; youth, trustees, and community leaders cut the ribbon officially dedicating the new campus that will provide a temporary respite for at-risk girls. 

“We will work together helping young people overcome significant challenges to build fulfilling and productive lives,” said Rhodes, who began his role as Executive Director July 1.

In addition to the $1 million gift from the nationwide home building company, grants from the Ahmanson, Annenberg, Norris, Skirball, Ralph M. Parsons and Weingart Foundations helped fund the project. It has also been adopted by HomeAid Los Angeles/Ventura, a non-profit organization that partners to help build shelters for people in need.

“We strongly believe we have a responsibility to support the communities in which we do business,” said Matt Coleman, Lennar Charitable Housing Foundation Executive Director. “We found a perfect fit with Boys Town to help people learn better life skills and ways to help themselves move into mainstream society.”

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Boys Town youth led guests on tours of the more than 10,000-square-foot facility that will provide girls a temporary home for up to 30 days as youth care workers assess their needs and determine the best placement option.

The Lennar Assessment and Short-Term Residential Center is expected to begin providing help, healing and hope to severely at-risk girls in August.