The Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club (FCBGC) will celebrate its rich history as Georgia’s first Boys Club of America with an Open House event on July 14, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Originally known as the Savannah Boys Club, its rise to prominence can be accredited to Savannah naitve, Mr. Frank Callen. His strong educational background and experience as a probation officer gave Mr. Callen the capacity to understand how to address juvenile delinquency, especially among the underprivileged Black youth in Savannah. In the basement of the Beach Institution (Savannah’s first Black school built after the Emancipation) he organized a “drop-in center” that accepted boys between the ages of 6 - 20 years old to participate in programs 7 months out of the year on October 19, 1917. Beginning with just 15 boys, the Savannah Boys Club was born.

On July 17, 1922, the national Boys Clubs of America accepted Mr. Callen’s group as part of its organization. He continued to run the Club with great sacrifice and meager funds. In the furtherance of his work with the Boys Club Mr. Callen took a six-week course at Columbia University. He was reported by the Savannah Tribune to be the first to receive a scholarship granted to colored workers by the national organization. From there, in 1926, Mr. Callen was able to grow his program to a full 12 months of enriching activities. The Club needed more room and expanded with the purchase of the old McDonald house on East Charlton Street for $11,000 through the generosity of Sarah Hodge, the Club’s most philanthropic benefactor. The Savannah Boys Club now had 27

rooms, proper electricity for lighting, and hot running water for showers. Today the Club is still located on E. Charlton Street, continuing the charge in a second century of service. That year the Savannah Tribune’s Editor, Sol C. Johnson chronicled how Frank Callen was leaving an impression that will be difficult to surpass; notably, his efforts for underprivileged boys and his facilitation of social services.

The organization's reach was extended throughout the Savannah community as the years went on, filling gaps to resolve socio-economic obstacles. On September 30, 1931, the Savannah Chamber of Commerce Committee on Relief authorized a division for colored people and designated that the headquarters should be at the Savannah Boys Club. The Relief Committee selected Frank Callen to lead an appointed committee of colored persons to assist him. Through his efforts, they opened an employment bureau that placed between 2,500 - 3,000 men and women in employment and more than 5,000 registrants received aid. Mr. Callen’s office also supervised payments of over $2,000 per week in relief.

Through the 1930’s and 40’s the Club experienced constant growth, improvement, plus the youths at the Club enjoyed all sorts of activities. Among some of the classes were masonry, shoe making, culinary, and carpentry. These experiences were not only a treat for the children, but also an opportunity for them to learn something new. The Club continued to grow well up until Frank Callen’s passing on January 29, 1949. That year the Club enrolled over 650 youths and his wife, Irma Callen, became the executive director. The Club was renamed the Frank Callen Boys Club in memory of the Club’s founder.

As a retired school teacher Mrs. Callen had helped her husband operate the facility for many years. The Savannah Morning News reported that this was the second time an African American woman headed a Boys Club in the United States and two years later quoted the Executive Director as stating the Club’s goal: to take the boys away from gangs and give them a place of their own to work, play and use their energy in wholesome activities. The Club’s 682 members at that time had a hobby shop, library, rooms for chess and checkers, ping pong, art and cooking classes, plus movie night every Friday night. Mrs. Callen received the Boys Clubs of America’s Keystone Award in 1956 with two silver stars. Then in 1960 the Boys Clubs of America awarded her again, this time it was the Golden Achievement Award for her dedicated service to youngsters. Mrs. Irma Curley Callen retired in 1960, then later died in 1971.

Before passing on the legacy her husband created to a long line of leadership for years to come, Mrs. Callen faced many obstacles. The club fell into some trying days in 1955 and it was proposed by the Savannah Area Better Recreation Study Group to eliminate the Frank Callen Boys Club, in part because it catered only to boys from 6 - 20 years of age. At that time, the Black Y. M. C. A. on West Broad Street accommodated both boys and girls. The Herald reported that the Club’s Black Board of Directors were emphatically against any move which would do other than improve the Club’s present program. They further argued that these functions can only be carried on in an organized Boys Club under the supervision of a staff recommended by the national organization of the Boys Club of America program. Editor of The Herald, Floyd Adams, Sr., wrote; “an institution that has done so much for this community deserves to live. It has won priority as a social agency, and has won a place in the hearts of many people.” Mr. Adams continued, “[t]he fact that the Frank Callen Boys Club was the first chartered Club in Georgia, if not in the South, is a matter of great pride to African American citizens of this community, who would be greatly disappointed and disheartened if the Club had to lose its charter and identity under pressure. What the Club has meant to this community for thirty-three years and the affection and labor that have gone into it, justify our plea that the Frank Callen Boys’ Club be preserved.”

“For the past 105 years we at the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club have been providing hope and opportunity to thousands of Savannah children. On July 14, 2022, we will celebrate 100 years as a chartered member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. That makes us the oldest club in Georgia,” said John Brooks, FCBGC Chairman of the Board. “Our focus has been on enabling all youth to reach their full potential, and our outcome measures verify our impact: 90% of our members are on grade level in school, 98%of our members graduate high school on time with 90% of those going on to some post- secondary educational training, most to college. Our club kids are far less likely to be involved with the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, we are not reaching enough kids, but we have plans to triple our current 300 average members per day to over 1,000.”

Mark Lindsay, newly announced CEO of the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club also says “I am thrilled to be leading the efforts of the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club here in Savannah.” Mr. Lindsay was selected by the FCBGC Board of Directors to lead the Club’s expansion with the acquisition of a 15-acre property on ACL Blvd. It is part of the Club's strategic plan to serve up to 1000 youth per day throughout the greater Savannah area. Plans call for development of a 35,000 – 40,000 square foot facility that will include a gym, pool, technology center, commercial kitchen, play fields and many more program

amenities. The new facility will serve up to 500 youth per day and will also be available for community programming during non-youth service hours.

The Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club invites the Savannah community in celebrating their 100th year as Georgia's First Boys & Girls Club, as they are welcoming the community to tour the facility and also enjoy music, sips, and bites. The program will include remarks from the President of the Boys & Girls Club of America, Mr. Jim Clark as well as a few words from City of Savannah Mayor, Mr. Van Johnson.

The Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club (https://bgcsavannah.org/) provides a place where all youth, no matter their circumstances, can make great discoveries about themselves and engage in educational and recreational activities. Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. And it’s all done in a safe environment and led by positive role models and leaders. To learn the rich history of Georgia's first Boys & Girl’s Club and how you can volunteer and/or make a donation, visit: www.bgcsavannah.org.