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If it wasn’t for the generosity of Wayne County, the story of this Wayne Economic Development Council investor might look a little different. Luckily, due to the support of local individuals and companies, The Village Network not only survived but continues to thrive to this day!
Formally incorporated in 1946, the Boys’ Village, as it was originally known, got its start from a dream of Reverend Clarence Kerr of Smithville Methodist Church. After watching the movie Boys’ Town, Reverend Kerr was inspired to open a home for ‘troubled boys’ or traumatized youth, and that’s exactly what he did. Transforming a farmhouse on 46 acres of land just outside of Wooster, Rev. Kerr and civic leaders were able to raise $15,000 and opened the first residential treatment facility of its kind in the eastern United States with a start of 10 young men.
Expanding to three cottages in the 1950s to meet growing demands, the boys would attend public school and then work four hours per day at assigned jobs in the community, on an adjacent farm or at Boys’ Village. Thanks to the generosity of the Timken Foundation, construction of a fully accredited on-campus school began in 1960, and teachers from Wooster City School district began staffing Boys’ Village School.
In 1962, Dale Thompson was promoted to administrator and many improvements were made to the campus, including additional cottages, a horse barn, and two lakes.
In the 1970s, the Friends of the Boys’ Village was formed as a volunteer auxiliary to help support the youth. “As families started to become more dysfunctional, volunteerism was huge,” stated Richard Graziano, president and CEO. “You have to realize some of these children have no memories of holidays with family members, so local moms stepped in and volunteered their time to help bake cookies with the kids, along with a host of other activities.”
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