*Tony’s story was written by Brent Robinson, Boys Town Writer, Marketing Division, for the Fall 2014 Edition of the Boys Town Alumni Newsletter
 

tonyjones1When Tony Jones, ’88, came to Boys Town from Detroit at the age of 13, he had no idea what life-changing path he was on. But today, after graduating from Boys Town and coming back to work as part of a Family-Teaching Couple for 19 years, he knows exactly what the famous Village founded by Father Flanagan has done for him. “Boys Town gave me the chance to stay alive,” Tony said, “If I would have stayed in Detroit, I was either going to prison, or I was probably going to die. There isn’t any doubt in my mind those were the two probable outcomes.”
 

Tony Jones was the youngest of three boys. His mother was addicted to drugs. “When I was eight months old, my great-grandmother took us in,” Tony said. “I called her ‘Mom’ because she was the only real mother I ever knew. Then she died of cancer when I was 11.”
 

Tony’s oldest brother went off on his own, leaving Tony and his other brother, Tyrone, to fend for themselves. They lived on the tough streets of Detroit, dodging gang violence while surrounded by drugs and prostitution. They quit going to school and did what they had to do to get by. They borrowed. They begged. And yes, Tony admitted, they stole. After a year, Tyrone, tired and worn out from taking care of himself and his brother, remembered his great-grandma’s Catholic church. He took Tony there and a priest contacted Boys Town.
 

Tony admits life at Boys Town was a culture shock at first. “I had to adjust to the quiet,” he said. “I didn’t believe that people could be so good— that they didn’t want something from me. Boys Town gave me the love and guidance that only a family could provide. With the support of my new family, I was inspired to do well in school and focus on my future.”
 

After graduating from Boys Town High School, Tony went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Bellevue University. He met his wife, Simone, and the couple married in 1994. Two years later, they were hired as Boys Town Family-Teachers®. Tony says his greatest inspiration at Boys Town was Father Val Peter, the Executive Director at the time Tony was a resident. “I was flunking a math class when Father Peter found me crying in church one day,” Tony said. “He encouraged me to visit the Garden of the Bible and look at the roses. He told me that some roses are closed, some are blossoming and others are wilting. But no two roses ever bloom at the same time. Father Peter believed that when the time was right, I would bloom just like those roses. And I did.” Tony said from that day forward, he was inspired to not only learn, but also to lead. “Not only did I pass my math class, I went on to get my degree in Health and Human Services,” Tony said. “I’m now happily married and have three wonderful children – Justice, Carver and Faith.”
 

The Joneses have directly touched the lives of over 200* kids who lived in their Family Home at Boys Town. With Tony’s involvement with other youth on campus, that number grows even larger. Tony loves the game of chess. He admits it probably isn’t a game he would have played much on the streets of Detroit. But he has learned to love the strategy involved in playing. And, he has passed that on to every child who has lived in his home at Boys Town over the years. “Every kid in our home has learned to play chess,” Tony said. “I think they can associate with the game. They learn to strategize, too. It makes you think. It makes you plan ahead. And, it lets you spend time with another person. I love the game, and I think our kids have enjoyed it, too.”
 

Tony says he is forever thankful for what Boys Town has done for him. “I consider myself lucky,” he said. “Without Boys Town, I’d probably be in prison like my oldest brother. Instead, I’ve spent the last 23* years working as a Family-Teacher at Boys Town. Every day, I see myself in these kids, and I’m inspired to get through to them.” And, he still uses what he has learned to teach others. “I still tell the story of the roses to my Boys Town kids,” Tony said. “It fills their hearts with faith and hope. It gives them the patience and strength to overcome adversity. I am living proof.”
 

Tony is a Lifetime Member of the Boys Town National Alumni Association.

* Updated to reflect most current information.