Agency History

Boys Village: The Fulfillment of An Ideal

REPRINTED FROM 1st BOYS VILLAGE ANNUAL REPORT IN 1942

The “First Offender Movement” had as its primary objective the prevention of crime among the youth of our nation. Over a period of years thousands of pledge cards have been mailed to boys and girls in all parts of the United States. Sheriff Slavin has carried the message of crime prevention to thousands of others through personal appearances in churches, before service clubs, in schools, before Parent-Teacher organizations and numerous other groups.

While there has been considerable material evidence that the seeds sewn through the moving pictures, over the radio, in public appearances and the thousands of pieces of literature, which were sent to all corners of the United States fell on fertile soil, it was felt that there was a still greater opportunity for service to our youth through acquiring this physical property in Milford.

An outgrowth of the First Offender Movement is Boys Village, Inc., which will be the crucible from which we hope bigger and better lives will be forged for unfortunate boys who have been denied the privilege of a normal home life. Boys Village, Inc., has been founded in the belief that understanding treatment can save many a boy from becoming one of the myriad of prisoners who daily pass through the doors of our jails and prisons. Located on the Wilbur Cross Parkway (Rt. 15) in Milford, the Village comprises 82 acres, part of which has already been developed agriculturally.

Through the generous support of public spirited citizens throughout the State, who have shown their confidence in this project, a considerable part of the mortgage on the property has been paid off, and during the summer hundreds of dollars in crops were raised at the Village, all of which were distributed to charitable institutions throughout Connecticut. (Note: In the summer of 1943, “an experiment” in raising turkeys was made at the Village.)

Incorporated as a non-profit organization under the laws of Connecticut, the property has been tax free since October, 1941. The Board of Directors of the Village has not as yet been named. It is not intended to form this board until the property now held by the Village is fully paid for, when a group of outstanding citizens will be invited to give the benefit of their valuable experiences in life to this humanitarian work.

The reason for purchasing the acreage is that most of the boys who are members of disorganized families come from the congested areas of the cities. While the Village is located in a beautiful rural setting, there is still enough activity along this modern highway to insure that the transition from city activity will not be altogether too sudden for youthful spirits.

Sheriff Slavin: ‘Boys need a work ethic’

Boys Village founder believed agency kept ‘many boys’ out of jail

MILFORD – In 1942, Sheriff J. Edward Slavin saw the potential of a program to keep wayward boys who were in trouble with the law for the first time out of jail. 

The Boys Village program began in 1942 on a 77-acre tract of property on both sides of the Wilbur Cross Parkway purchased on May 14, 1942 from Harry S. and Pearl A. Daniels.

In October 1942, another five acres was donated by H. Sanford Osborne of Redding, bringing the total acreage to 82.

The four purposes of Boys Village, as specified in Article II of the Articles of Association:

1. To establish and conduct a farm for boys, including sufficient and affordable instructions.
2. To restore handicapped and homeless boys in need of care and protection to a normal life wherever possible, including relief, employment, medical care and education.
3. To establish and conduct a place for the social betterment of young boys.
4. To provide a place for young boys to grow and develop in social usefulness.