Agency History

A Living Legacy: Dan Adley and Sheriff Edward Slavin

Boys Village was founded in 1942 by Sheriff Edward Slavin and Daniel J. Adley originally as a “work farm for first-offenders” in the juvenile justice system. The idea was to prevent crime among youth.

Without question, it was Mr. Adley’s dedication that carried Boys Village through many growing pains in its formative years. An orphan at age nine, Mr. Adley spent many of his early years in institutions, separated from this brothers and sisters. In his later teens, he successfully reunited himself with his family. He also was an accomplished businessman, establishing the Adley Express Company, one of the largest trucking firms in the eastern United States. When his means permitted, Mr. Adley resolved to work on behalf of orphaned, abandoned, troubled and abused children providing them with the opportunities that he didn’t have as a child.

Mr. Adley’s determination led to the founding of the Boys Village. In the beginning, the Boys Village grew out of the mission of the First Offender Movement that worked to prevent crime by reaching out to the nation’s youth through moving pictures, over radio, in public appearances and through thousands of pieces of literature that were sent all over the U.S. The Boys Village saw an even greater opportunity to work directly with troubled youth and led to the acquisition of property in Milford. Harry S. and Pearl A. Daniels sold 77-acres to Adley and Slavin in 1942, and later that year another five acres were donated by H. Sanford Osborne of Redding. On this land, troubled youths were given the opportunity to work on a real farm in order to foster a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. In the summer, hundreds of dollars in crops were raised at the Village, which the boys used to cook their meals and also distribute to charitable institutions throughout Connecticut.

During its formative years, Dan Adley and his wife, Yolanda, worked tirelessly to ensure the Village’s continued existence – even taking a second mortgage on their home to build a new residence for the children. They enlisted their friends who provided food and clothing and served on the New Haven Committee for Boys Village, which provided yearly support for the organization.

Over the following decades, the Boys Village provided home-like settings (called Cottages) to many orphaned and abandoned boys from all over Connecticut. The boys living in the village attended Milford public schools and found support and community among the staff and other children living there. The boys also received social services from qualified staff to help them build their personalities and show them how to control their emotions. The program worked closely with state case workers and the public schools to ensure the success of the boys living in the Village.

In the 1980s, 70 of the original acres were sold and the proceeds used to form The Village Foundation, a sister organization that manages an endowment fund. Today, the Foundation continues to provide financial support to the agency.

Evolving to Meet the Community’s Changing Needs

Over the years, Boys Village has continued to seek ways to serve children with great emotional and behavioral needs. The agency also began admitting girls into its programs. In 1983, the Day School first opened its doors to boys and girls who were between the ages of 6-15 and needed a more specialized and individualized educational setting. In the 1990s, the agency added adoption, therapeutic foster care and family support services for all members of the family. The agency expanded its service areas into Waterbury in 1993, New Haven in 1995 and Bridgeport in 1996. In the late 1990s, the Kids I.N.N. (Intensive Needs Network) and Safe Haven shelters were created for boys and girls. During its 60th year of service, the agency officially adopted Boys & Girls Village as its name in 2002.

Recently, the 13,000 square foot Bridgeport office underwent a renovation of a large, open space to create an activity room, classrooms and conference area. Currently, the agency is in the process of re-locating from our original Waterbury location to a new site, also in Waterbury, which will fit the service needs.

The Adley family continues to be a source of caring guidance for the mission of the Boys & Girls Village. Three generations of the Adley family have touched the agency, carrying on the legacy of Dan and Yolanda. As a leader in specialized child-care and education for the emotionally troubled youngster, Boys & Girls Village is committed to continuing the tradition begun by Dan Adley of providing warmth with firm limits, guidance and life-training for children in need of this opportunity.