Andrew's journey from the streets of Trinidad to the corporate offices of ConocoPhillips reads like an impossible dream—yet it's precisely the kind of transformation that Boys and Girls Country has been making possible for more than five decades. Born into poverty and abandoned as an infant, Andrew endured neglect until a chance encounter led to adoption by a loving couple in New York. But when his adoptive mother's cancer battle brought the family to Texas and grief later consumed his adolescence, Andrew found himself struggling with anger and academic failure.
That's when his father made a life-changing decision: placing him at Boys and Girls Country, where Andrew would spend the next ten years learning to confront his pain, discover his purpose, and ultimately earn a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. Today, as Andrew prepares for graduate school while working at ConocoPhillips, he represents the enduring impact of an organization that has proven, time and again, that a child's past doesn't have to define their future.
Founded in 1971 by Tom Robinson and community leaders, Boys and Girls Country has evolved from a small home for boys on donated Hockley land into a comprehensive 200-acre residential campus. Over five decades, the organization has grown to include modern cottage-style family homes, educational programs, and a pioneering College and Career initiative that supports graduates through adulthood.
Guided by core values of faith, family, relationships, integrity, safety, education, and stewardship, BGC operates as a Christ-centered community where up to 88 children ages 5-18 live with trained houseparents in family-like settings. They attend local schools while receiving trauma-informed care designed to heal their past and build their future.
"The greatest challenge we face today is that children arriving at Boys and Girls Country are coming from increasingly traumatic backgrounds," said Nathan Doherty, Director of Development. "Many have experienced neglect, food insecurity, or abuse before joining our community. In addition, a significant number are academically behind their peers, which can compound the trauma they've already endured."
BGC addresses these challenges holistically. On-site counselors assess and support children throughout their time there—and even after they leave. The team partners with tutors and professional educators to address academic needs while providing spiritual care as well.
The results are measurable. Using the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale, BGC tracks children's progress across eight areas, including school, behavior, and mood. At admission, 52% of children score in the severe impairment range, but by six months that number drops to just 23%—a dramatic 29-point improvement that reflects the power of stable, caring environments.
Boys and Girls Country receives no government funding and relies entirely on community generosity. This makes volunteers, donors, and community partners absolutely vital to the mission. Support comes in many forms—volunteers who give time through campus projects, mentorship, or sorting donated items; donors who contribute financially or provide in-kind gifts; and community partners who lend support through service, awareness, and advocacy.
"I want the community to know two key things about the difference Boys and Girls Country makes," Doherty remarked. "First, it truly does take a village to raise a child. Caring for our kids requires many resources—cleaning supplies, food, clothing, financial support, mentorship, and more. This means almost anyone can make a meaningful contribution."
"Second, our children are just normal kids. They are not 'bad kids'—they are young people who want to grow, learn, and thrive. We're committed to helping them do just that while understanding that caring for a child is a long-term responsibility. That's why we address their needs holistically—mind, body, and spirit. We also recognize that parenting doesn't stop at age 18, which is why we continue supporting our 'kids' through our College and Career Program."
Many children come from families affected by generational trauma. By helping one child succeed, BGC hopes to break that cycle, ensuring that not only does this child thrive, but their future children can grow up free from the hardships their parents faced.
"What may sound like a cliché is, for us, a lived reality," Doherty adds. "We truly could not do this work without community support. Their generosity makes it possible for our children to heal, grow, and thrive."
Over five decades, the organization has grown to include modern cottage-style family homes, educational programs, and a pioneering College and Career initiative.
Guided by core values of faith, family, relationships, integrity, safety, education, and stewardship, BGC operates as a Christ-centered community where up to 88 children ages 5-18 live with trained houseparents in family-like settings.