Our Mission
Don Bosco Hall is a private non-profit agency, which provides supportive human services to enhance the quality of life for youth, and their families residing in the Metropolitan Detroit-Wayne County Community.
Our Vision
Don Bosco Hall will utilize the most effective therapeutic modalities and interventions available to achieve the desired outcomes for the client populations it serves. The agency’s service delivery systems will focus on family reunification, youth rehabilitations, youth protective service, mentorship, recreation and preparing youth with the interpersonal, technological and educational skills which enhance their ability to reach their greatest potential. The agency will collaborate with other community organizations and business to provide an effective network of services to the local community. Don Bosco Hall is committed to advocate an effective for social and child welfare policy reforms and practices that will have supportive outcomes for youth and families. All of Don Bosco Hall’s services will carry out the Catholic Charities/ Archdiocese of Detroit’s mission of effective professional and Christian social services to respond to human needs through direct service and advocacy.
Our History
Don Bosco Hall was founded by the Rev. John J. Finnegan, pastor of St. Patrick Church in 1954. The agency is named for St. John Bosco, a Roman Catholic priest who was canonized in 1934. He is known for his work among the youth in Turin Italy, in the last century.
Since 1954 Don Bosco Hall has worked to establish family relationships and has touched the lives of over 50,000 children. Don Bosco Hall is dedicated to keeping youngsters out of trouble by keeping them occupied and off the streets.
Don Bosco Hall serves over 2,500 youth and their families annually through a variety of programs.
*Don Bosco Hall is accredited through the Council on Accreditation (COA), and is licensed through the State of Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services.
Employment Opportunities
Interested in working with us? Click on the available positions below for a description.
Many times our local inner city neighborhoods have been greatly neglected. This is having a devastating impact on our children and youth. This is one reason why Don Bosco Hall, Inc. is so excited about the opening of its new Community Resource Center. Through the generous financial support of the Skillman and Kresege Foundations, a needed community resource has been developed within the Detroit Cody/Rouge area.
A healthy neighborhood is extremely important in the positive development of children and youth. The neighborhood institution influences the environment where our children, youth and families either strive or fail. Our local neighborhoods are under attack by such things as crime, drugs and poverty. The latter variables serve to weaken the positive development of children, youth and families. Don Bosco Hall refuses to give in to the negative plight confronting our neighborhoods. Through the development of vital support systems like our new community resource center, local neighborhoods are strengthen and revitalized. The "village" becomes stronger and future community leaders are born. Local children, youth and families have a new safe, clean and nurturing establishment in their community to support their positive development. A key Detroit neighborhood is strengthened through the wide variety of support services, social activities and neighborhood development projects within the new Don Bosco Hall Community Resource Center.
Charles D. Small
President/CEO
Officers
Charles D. Small - President & CEO
Melvin E. Byrd - Chairman of the Board
Betty J. Howard - Vice Chair
Craig Burres - Treasurer
David E. Joseph - Secretary
Members
Robert Roy Amori
Edna Bell
George V. Cassar, Esq.
Joseph Cazeno, Jr.
Dr. Adrian Christie
Douglass Doggett, Sr.
Thomas Dorsey
Jordan Field, Esq.
Elliott S. Hall, Esq.
Teola Hunter
Michael Layne
Katherine Luckett-Watson
Donald McSwain
Albert Springer
Lee Turner, Esq.
Deborah Virgiles
Patricia Watkins
Charles D. Small - President/CEO
csmall@donboscohall.org
JoAnne Woodard - Associate Director
jwoodard@donboscohall.org
Duane Carter - Program Director
dcarter@donboscohall.org
Sheyi Olojo - Accounting/Finance Department
solojo@donboscohall.org
Christine Gavin-Patterson (Christine Gavin & Company)
- Don Bosco Hall, Community Relations, Marketing & Philanthropy
Deborah Virgiles
It was during her senior year at Chadsey High School in Detroit when Deborah began her career with McDonald’s. After high school graduation, Deborah decided to pursue a management position and started her training at McDonald’s corporate office, which is located in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Over the years, Deborah has held a variety of positions such as store manager, personnel director, local store marketing coordinator, and training manager. It was Deborah’s commitment to her community and a passion for the McDonald’s brand that inspired her to become a McDonald’s Owner/Operator in the Detroit area.
On January 16, 1996, Deborah purchased her first McDonald’s restaurant, which was located in Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn. Today, she is the owner/operator of two McDonald’s restaurants located at 4235 Woodward Avenue at Willis, and 18403 Grand River Avenue at the Southfield Fwy. Deborah employs more than 140 people at both of her restaurants located on Detroit’s west side.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Southeastern McDonald’s Michigan Operators Association (SEMMOA); the Board of Directors for the Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc.; the Urban Plan Advisory Board; the Board of Directors for the Black McDonald’s Operator’s Association (BMOA); and the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Deborah is a member of the McDonald’s Women Operator’s Network (W.O.N.), and the Aviators’ Ball planning committee, an annual black-tie fundraiser benefiting the Ronald McDonald Houses of Detroit and Ann Arbor. She also has played an instrumental role in raising funds for the Charles H. Wright African American Museum.
Deborah has been recognized by the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners for her work with the Central Empowerment Zone Business Task Force, Midtown Alliance; the Detroit City Council presented her with a "Spirit of Detroit" award; and the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the Alabama A & M University presented her with the 2006 and 2008 "Woman of the Year Award."
She contributes her time to several community events, including the Race for the Cure, Mayor’s Time, National Night Out, Children’s Center, Police Week, Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program, and Willie Horton’s annual Batting for Kids.
Deborah is a faithful member of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and is the proud mother of Dominique, a senior at Wayne State University.
Don Bosco Hall Community Awards and Achievements
1998
FBI Youth Service Award
2000
DTE Energy Foundation- Community Luminary Award
2005
Lydia Circle of Christian Business Women- Service Award
2006
Ace Hardware- "New Faces of Helpful Places Award"
2006-10
Don Bosco Hall is awarded as a national high standard organization - Council On Accreditation.
2007
Ford Motors Company- Heritage Service Award
2007-09
Agency Hosted Community Fatherhood Conferences for (3) Consecutive years (Year 2 event televised by Comcast, Years event televised by NBA Television).
Detroit Tigers Foundation Grant funding to host "Willie Horton's Batting for Kids" Skills Competition at Comerica Park.
2009
The opening of St. Suzanne is another extraordinarily successful launch. Don Bosco Hall Community Resource Center at St. Suzanne is a 10,000 Square foot Community Resource Center. The Center is dedicated to empowering children youth and their families to reach their fullest potential through targeted supportive services, programs and youth and family development activities.
Services
Residential Programs
Provides housing and comprehensive therapeutic services for youth (12 to 18 years of age) who require a structured environment due to behavioral and emotional difficulties.
Don Bosco Hall's Community Resource Center at St. Suzanne
Empowering children, youth and their families to reach their fullest potential through targeted supportive services, programs and youth development activities.
Supervised Independent Living Program
Provides supportive services for older teenagers who need assistance as they prepare for independence. Services in the areas of employment, career planning, interpersonal skills and housing are provided.
Transitional Living Programs
Provides unique and innovative approaches to assist young people in becoming independent and self-supportive (e.g. - employability skills, job placement, life skills and financial management).
Community Enrichment Programs
Provides preventative services to children and youth through community counseling, tutoring, recreation and cultural arts services.
Don Bosco Hall’s Detroit Workforce Program
Don Bosco Hall provides year round remedial education, life management skills, work readiness skills, career and leadership development skills training to youth between the ages of 14-18.
Accredited by the Council On Accreditation