John Bosco decided to devote his life to educating disadvantaged boys, including those who lived on the streets, in an attempt to keep them out of jail. His teaching methods were  based on love rather than punishment, as he believed that a teacher should be a father, advisor and friend.

John provided boys with an education, religious teaching and a chance to have leisure time and fun together. In 1859, along with seventeen other men, he set up the Salesian Order and led the building of a grammar school, a technical school and a church. Together with St. Mary Mazzarello, he also founded the Daughters of Our Lady Help of Christians (also known as Salesian Sisters of John Bosco), who were a group of nuns dedicated to similar educational work for disadvantaged girls.

Each year his life is celebrated on his feast day of 31st January.