PORTSMOUTH — Boys Town New England has received national recognition for its work helping children find safe homes and supporting families throughout Rhode Island.

The Portsmouth-based organization was named a 2026 Angels in Adoption honoree by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute following a recommendation from U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse.

Executive Director Marcy Shyllon traveled to Washington, D.C., for the Angels in Adoption Celebration on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The award recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to adoption, foster care, permanency and child welfare. Honorees from around the country are invited to Washington for a leadership program and celebration.

In 2025, Boys Town New England said it served or otherwise reached nearly 1,200 children through programs designed to help young people find safe, supportive homes and help families build stability.

“This honor belongs to the foster parents, staff and families who show up for children every day,” Shyllon said. “Every child deserves to feel safe, supported and connected to people who care about them.”

Boys Town New England provides foster family services for children who need homes, along with preventive, home- and community-based programs aimed at helping families address challenges while remaining together.

The organization also provides reunification services for children returning to their families after being placed in out-of-home care.

Whitehouse, who recommended Boys Town New England for the honor, praised the organization’s staff and foster families.

“The Boys Town New England staff and foster families do heroic work to help give young people a supportive home and a smoother transition into adulthood,” Whitehouse said. “Boys Town deserves national recognition for making a lasting difference in Rhode Islanders’ lives.”

Boys Town has provided services to children and families nationally for more than a century. Its programs include education, prevention, training and treatment services for behavioral and physical challenges. The organization said it directly served more than 197,000 children and families nationwide in 2025.

Those interested in learning more about Boys Town New England’s foster care program or becoming a foster parent can call 800-847-2025 or visit www.boystown.org.

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Shorter version:

Boys Town earns national honor

Portsmouth-based organization recognized for foster care, child welfare work

Boys Town New England has received national recognition for its work helping children find safe homes and supporting families throughout Rhode Island.

The Portsmouth-based organization was named a 2026 Angels in Adoption honoree by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute following a recommendation from U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse.

Executive Director Marcy Shyllon traveled to Washington, D.C., for the Angels in Adoption Celebration on Sept. 29.

The award recognizes individuals and organizations for contributions to adoption, foster care, permanency and child welfare. In 2025, Boys Town New England said it served or otherwise reached nearly 1,200 children through programs designed to help young people find safe, supportive homes and help families build stability.

“This honor belongs to the foster parents, staff and families who show up for children every day,” Shyllon said. “Every child deserves to feel safe, supported and connected to people who care about them.”

Boys Town New England provides foster family services for children who need homes, as well as preventive, home- and community-based services designed to help families address challenges together. It also provides reunification services for children returning home after being placed in out-of-home care.

“The Boys Town New England staff and foster families do heroic work to help give young people a supportive home and a smoother transition into adulthood,” Whitehouse said. “Boys Town deserves national recognition for making a lasting difference in Rhode Islanders’ lives.”

Those interested in becoming foster parents or learning more about the program can call 800-847-2025 or visit www.boystown.org.