A family arrangement is maintained in each cottage. The cottage family is headed by Houseparents-a married couple who serve as the primary provider for the children's daily needs. The Houseparents form a warm, caring family with their youth as they guide and instruct them on a 24-hour basis, seeing that their physical, spiritual, social and emotional needs are met. It's a full-time vocation, and while they are assisted in their work by other child care professionals, the Houseparents are responsible for the majority of basic behavioral, disciplinary and living skills that are taught to each boy or girl. Many of our Houseparents also have their own children living with them.
Cottage homes are single gender and each has a group of eight to twelve boys or girls.
The Cottage Program has a total capacity of 108 children, and our Thompson Shelter provides care for another 16 children. Being a positive adult role model, counseling, teaching, loving and caring for up to twelve troubled youngsters is challenging career in itself. However, some of our Houseparents have additional responsibilities on campus during the time their children are at school. Boysville has its sole campus northeast of San Antonio, Texas in the city limits of Converse. North, across from Randolph AFB and just up the road from Judson High School.