History of the Continentals of Omega Boys &
Girls Club
Who would have known that an encounter between Philmore Graham, a young naval engineer and six little boys playing football on a cold November day in 1966, would turn into an event that would help to shape the lives of hundreds of Vallejo’s children. Philmore had watched those energetic little boys play football every day after school and finally decided to challenge their minds. He asked them to spell football. As a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Philmore had been challenged to foster local community service activities to benefit young people. Deeply committed to helping children, Philmore had already devised a plan to help those little boys succeed not only in school but also in life. His plan included tutoring, life skills lessons and field trips. Those six boys rose to the challenge and became the charter members of what is now known as the ©2001 - 2009 Continentals of Omega Boys and Girls Club, Inc.
The boy’s excitement level increased with each new encounter with “Mr. Graham”. The excitement soon spread to their friends, who eventually joined them for afternoon tutoring sessions, sports activities, field trips and snacks. Philmore, his wife, JaMella Nelson Graham and Junior Director Richard Cross, provided everything. These early meetings focused on academic performance, proper etiquette, positive behavior and reading. Books were provided to any child that participated.
As more boys joined the Club, the Graham’s realized the need to seek larger quarters. In 1968, they accepted an offer from Rev. Horace J. Morris of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church to house the Club and its members in the Parish House. John H. Jones and Jim Swindle joined the Graham’s in their endeavors. In 1971, these three signed the Articles of Incorporation making the Boys Club a nonprofit organization. In 1976, the Club relocated to its present location at 555 Corcoran Avenue, Vallejo, California. This move afforded the Club an opportunity to serve more children and provide its members with a gymnasium, cafeteria, library, games room, study hall and computer lab. In 1990, after more than two decades as a Boys Club, the Club opened its doors to girls and became the ©2001 - 2009 Continentals of Omega Boys and Girls Club, Inc.
For over 40 years, the Club has been a safe haven for Vallejo’s youth, expanding its services from academic assistance and recreational activities to include programs designed to meet the challenges faced by today’s youth. Members now receive health information, counseling on social involvement, peer pressure resistance training, computer training, career exploration information as well as daily academic assistance.
Club members also participate in summer reading and math clinics, cultural activities, field trips, and attend professional sporting events. Members are required to read a book each month and to prepare a book report on each book read. This practice has enabled members to increase their reading comprehension and vocabulary skills and assisted more than 70% of the Club members to achieve honor roll status.
As a member of the national Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Club promotes the health, education, social, vocational, and character development of its members. The principles of brotherhood, sisterhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift are encouraged as members strive to attain the highest standards of academic and social excellence in life. Approximately 500 members participate in the Club’s programs and activities throughout the year, which includes study hall, workshops, community forums, teen dances, and other special programs.
Through the efforts of the Board of Directors, staff and contributions from the community, more than 500 youth have attended colleges and universities throughout the United States. 32 of the Club’s members have obtained their Ph.D.’s. Many of these young people may not have had the opportunity to obtain a higher education without the guidance and financial assistance of the Club.
Other youth services organizations have incorporated the concept of academic achievement, mentoring youth and developing programs and community projects for them. Most notably, the San Francisco Omega Boys Club directed by Dr. Joseph Marshall and Jack Jacqua.