The Amistad Committee, most of whom were Congregationalists, later formed the American Missionary Association which sent teachers to the South to establish schools for ex-slaves. In 1867, one such group came to Savannah, establishing a school, Beach Institute. They also spearheaded the organization of First Congregational Church here in 1869. A member of this church, Frank Callen, and a local probation officer,  in 1917, formed a club for boys in the Beach Institute, known today as the Boys Club of Savannah Club, apart of Savannah’s inheritance from the slave period.  In 1922, the Club became a member of the Boys Clubs of America. In 1928, Birmingham, Alabama hosted the first southern convention of the Boys’ Club Federation (BCF). Frank Callen, the black Superintendent of the Boys’ Club of Savannah was a keynote speaker. The content of Callen’s message, “A Colored Boys’ Club’s Adventure” is now lost, however, it was reported to have “voiced a new racial standpoint.” Although the Savannah Club was not the first to serve African American youth, Callen’s speech symbolized “a splendid example of the possibilities of Club work among colored boys.”  

          In 1954, the Club was renamed the Frank Callen Boys Club in memory of its founder. The Savannah Club was a leader in national efforts to include girls by accepting girls as members in the early fifties.  In keeping with the National Boys & Girls Club movement, the club officially changed its name to the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club in 1992.  The Club has shown tremendous growth over the last 90 years and has been a positive influence in the lives of thousands of boys and girls.  Many have become productive members of their communities, and some, have made outstanding achievements in athletics, politics, business, in a variety of professional areas.

We now have sites at Kayton/Frazier Homes, Savannah; City of Savannah Crusader Center; City of Savannah Tatemville Center and a Teen Center in Richmond Hill!