My dissertation thesis deals with the history of unusual projects carried out by individuals who were trying to help socially disadvantaged children in residential care. I especially focus on positive peer models seen for example in Gorky Colony, Boys Town or Junior Republic. All these projects had had very different background but the very same mission- to help children and youth.

Two main research questions of my dissertation project are: How did these models function and in what ways can they serve as a source of inspiration for current residential care in the Czech Republic.

The reason why I have chosen the models mentioned above is the fact that there is still enough room for interpretation of their potential as they have been either stigmatised by the former interpretation (Gorky Colony seen through the Communist propaganda) or never analysed in the Czech Republic (Boys Town, Junior Republic).

Methods to be used in the project: -qualitative content analysis of the texts I will define a set of texts for a close scrutiny (autobiographies of important figures using positive peer model) I will define content units (e.g. possibilities when working with children and youth at risk) I will define markers (single sex units - mixed sex units, model state - model town - model army etc.) I will define analytical categories and classify content units (focus on discipline- liberalism, focus on client´s history - without focus on client´s history etc.) I also plan to visit the Boys Town, Nebrasca in the USA.

I hope to find inspiration in the models described above as I believe that even now some of those methods used back then are still quite modern and can be seen as inspirational in current discussion on residential care. As new acts have been passed recently in the Czech Republic and there is still a passionate discussion on the topic.

Brockway, Z., R. (1912). Fifty years of prison service. An autobiography. New York: Charities Publication Committee. George, W., R. (1910). Junior Republic. It´s history and ideals. New York and London: D. Appleton and Company. Hyland, T., Warneke, K., & Herron R. (1992). Dreams fulfilled: Successful stories from Boys Town: The stories of boys and girls who came to Boys Town and found a home. Boys Town: Boys Town Press. Makarenko, A. S. (1976). Pedagogická poema. Czech translation. Praha: SPN. Pecha, L. (1999). Krutá poema. Makarenko – jak ho neznáme. Brno: Doplněk. Reynolds, C.R., Vannest, K.J., & Fletcher-Janzen, E. (2014). Encyclopaedia of special education: A Reference for the Education of Children, Adolescents, and Adults Disabilities and Other Exceptional Individuals. Vol.2 D-J. Wiley. Stevens, C. J. (1967). Boys Town: Father Flanagan's dream. Boys Town: Boys Town Publications. Travis, T. (1908). The young malefactor: A Study in juvenile delinquency its causes and treatment. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. Publishers. [online]. [cit. 20.4.2017]. Accessed from: https://archive.org/stream/youngmalefactor01travgoog#page/n12/mode/2up Val Peter (1986). What makes boys town so special, Boys Town: Boys Town Press. Val Peter. (1992). I think of my homelessness: Stories about America's troubled children and how Boys Town helps them. Boys Town: Boys Town Press.