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Men of Merit Works To Help Local Boys Build Character
After reading too many news stories about teenagers getting arrested, Thomas Ocean decided it was time for a change.
“It just didn’t make any sense,” he says. “You can’t point fingers unless you’re going to do something to help. That’s why we started Men of Merit.”
With the help of his wife and fellow members of the congregation at St. Paul Baptist Church, Thomas started a group outreach effort to teach young men how to be self-reliant gentlemen. “We would teach them how to tie a tie, how to change oil in a car, skills that could help themselves and their mother or grandmother,” he says.
The first Men of Merit group had nearly 20 participants, many from single-parent households. As the program evolved, Thomas looked for ways to extend its impact. A guest speaker from the local police shooting range invited him to come out and see a nearby camp, Camp PD. Thomas immediately knew what he wanted to do next.
“We held our first Boys Day Out event,” he says. Participants from Men of Merit were invited to Boys Day Out to celebrate together. Guests heard from a special speaker and enjoyed food, games, activities, and giveaways, all for free. Today, more than 20 years later, thousands of young men have come together to mark the end of their time in the program.
Stretching Across Generations
The focus of Boys Day Out is not only a time for young men to celebrate, but also to share experiences they may not otherwise have. Swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and playing sports top the list.
“Every kid also leaves with something,” Thomas says. “It may not be one of the big prizes like a TV or PlayStation, but we give out backpacks and gift cards. They all win.”
In recent years, Thomas’ sons, Men of Merit graduates, have helped open and run the event.
“My experience with Boys Day Out has just been greatness on top of greatness,” Terence Ocean says. “I teach third grade, so seeing kids take in these role models and begin to grow within their field, lives, and eventually their careers is so positive.”