Alive & Free’s 39th Anniversary

Co-Founders Dr. Joseph Marshall and Jack Jacqua created something they weren’t sure was going to work. But they knew their students needed something different to help change the current state they were in. On February 26, 1987, Omega Boys Club had their first meeting at the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House. The plan might not have been entirely sculpted out, but the goal was set:  to keep our young people alive and free.

Marcel Evans was there. He was the first to attend. “Omega is my family and it taught me about commitment.”

Joe Thomas was there. He was in a program where he was locked up during the night and worked as a janitor during the day. He reminisced in front of the new students about how he was mopping when he heard Dr. Marshall and Jack telling the students they could be somebody. “I put down the mop and said, ‘I want to be somebody too.’”

Shervon Hunter was there. The name may have stated one thing, but she made sure she was included in the Club. This helped to open the doors for other young women to join. 

It’s about commitment. Our commitment to you. Our commitment to each other. Our commitment to do what is right and to uplift each other. We wouldn’t be here without you believing in and committing to our youth and our community. Because of you, the light is still on every Tuesday night.