St. John Bosco House
Responsible Living Program

The Responsible Living Program is run from a triplex on the south hill. This facility is named John Bosco House after Saint John Bosco. St. John Bosco, (1815 - 1888) was born of poor parents in a little cabin at Becchi, a hillside hamlet near Castelnuovo, Piedmont, Italy. The secret of much of his work, was his love of youth. Boys took to him because they sensed immediately that he loved and respected them. Most of his adult life was spent as a teacher of youth.

How fitting to name this facility for a man who was devoted to helping youth.

The doors to Bosco House opened in August 2002. It was hoped that the facility would be a home to boys continuing their education in high school
and the responsibilities associated with finding and holding a job.

The criteria to be a resident in the Bosco House is: 1) to be in high school 2) to have a job or be involved in sports and 3) to behave responsibly at home, school, and in the community.

The program teaches boys responsibility for their own well being. They focus on finances and budgeting. Each boy has his own checking account and is given a monthly allowance, along with food, recreation and other misc. monies to spend throughout the month. He makes a budget based on the amount of money he is given and spends the money accordingly. The monthly bank statement aids the boy in learning how to balance a checkbook, and prepare the next month's budget.

In addition to finances, each boy must keep his apartment to the standards of Morning Star Boys' Ranch, which entails daily, as well as weekly cleaning responsibilities. As most are aware cleanliness is not next to godliness for a teenage boy, so this aspect of the program is often a challenge. Perseverance and accountability lead each boy to understand that he must not leave his apartment messy.