We have a bold belief.
We have bold beliefs.
Everyone deserves to be supported as each person needs, no matter where they are.
Everyone should have the partners and resources needed to find effective and empowering ways to fully be who they are, and have all the opportunities to become who they will be.
Our homes, schools and communities can all evolve to be places where diverse abilities are not just supported, they are anticipated, welcomed and become part of everyone’s everyday successes.
Today you can find our skilled and caring 80+ person team throughout Metro Detroit and across the state, and in all the places where our young people ages 0-26 are:
With Families
Supporting families through local play groups and development programs with local partners
At Our Centers
Offering speech and occupational therapy interventions, with various screenings available for different age levels
Our Vision
Children with special needs and their families are all thriving members of the community.
Our Mission
We empower children to overcome challenges.
- We invest in children.
- We invest in their families.
- We invest in our partners.
Our Name
For families, schools and communities who empower young people and their diverse abilities, we are committed to providing exceptional opportunities every day. With an innovative history of evolving with the changing needs, we know that everyday victories and systemic changes come from bold beliefs and thoughtful actions. In 2024 we changed our name to reflect the strength, optimism and forward-thinking of our work and our ever-growing community.
Boldli embraces change and innovation. We act boldly, and lead by example. Our unique spelling shows pride in our differences, and reminds us each day to find the joy in it all. “Exceptional Youth Services” grounds us in our expertise and who we work with.
Our History
We’ve been committed to young people in Detroit for more than a century. Originally founded in 1920 in response to the effects of childhood polio and tuberculosis, we’ve evolved through the decades to become the Detroit Institute for Children, a leader in serving a broader range of special needs for years at our Woodward Avenue center.
While no longer at that Woodward Avenue location, we’ve continued to quietly grow and expand as a source of respected expertise and welcomed support, all the while maintaining our founding commitments to serve regardless of ability to pay, and to focus on the whole child and not just their challenges.
Historic Milestones
- Sigma Gamma Association (1904) began raising money for the Women’s Hospital infant’s ward and other children’s needs
- Sigma Gamma Clinic for Crippled Children (1920) – Opened a clinic for polio and pediatric orthopedics
- Detroit Orthopedic Clinic (1936) – Opened a clinic for pediatric orthopedics
- Detroit Orthopedic Clinic (1960) – Reopened on Woodward Ave. specializing in the treatment of cerebral palsy
- Detroit Institute for Children (1970s) – Expanded to address a broader range of childhood disabilities
- Boldli – Exceptional Youth Services (2024) – Now encompasses inclusive learning, therapy and engagement services throughout Metro Detroit and across the state.
Contact Us
If you’d like more information on our organization, programs, partnership opportunities or other services, please contact us.