Restoring the Legacy: The Vibrant Past and Present of the O.J. Thomas Alumni Community Resource Center

Cameron, TX - Located at 1400 W. 6th Street, the O.J. Thomas Alumni Community Resource Center stands as a monumental pillar of community spirit, education, and resilience in Cameron, Texas. What once served as a historical beacon of academic excellence continues to transform lives daily by bridging its deeply rooted history with an active, forward-thinking commitment to local youth and families.

A Rich Historical Foundation

The history of the O.J. Thomas facility is intrinsically tied to the history of education in Milam County.

• Early Beginnings: The journey began with early efforts to meet the educational needs of Cameron's African American students through church instruction at "Little Rocky" Church in the Marlow Community.
• The Rosenwald Era: In 1923, visionary educator Oscar John Thomas joined the school district as a teacher and principal. Under his leadership, the community secured crucial financing from the Julius Rosenwald Fund, culminating in the construction of a brand-new campus facility in 1925.
• Honoring a Leader: The school was formally renamed Oscar John Thomas High School in 1938 to honor his profound impact.
• Evolution & Preservation: Following integration in 1968, the campus transitioned into Cameron Junior High. In 1974, a public petition successfully restored the historic O.J. Thomas name to the facility. While the junior high officially closed its doors in 1995, a dedicated group of alumni purchased the building in 1998, ensuring its legacy would continue to serve the public as a community resource hub.

Nurturing and Empowering Cameron’s Youth

Today, the center is breathing new life into the historic halls, prioritizing safe, constructive, and enriching environments for the younger generation. Through multi-faceted programs, the center is teaching youth vital life skills while keeping them active and engaged.

Youth Development Programs

• The Youth Cooking and Serving Crews: The innovative "Tomorrow Night!" program teaches children practical kitchen and hospitality skills. The Cooking Crew (Ages 10–18) steps into the kitchen at 4:00 PM to master food preparation, menu planning, and culinary collaboration. Following them, the Serving Crew (Ages 7–9) takes over at 5:30 PM, learning customer service, table setting, and team responsibility while serving meals to local adults and families.
• Open Gym Nights: Operating every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the center opens its gymnasium to keep kids physically active in a constructive space. Built on the principles of respect, integrity, and safety, the Open Gym program encourages local youth to confidently "Rep the Bulldogs".
• Teen Night Parties: Providing a completely positive, safe weekend environment, the center hosts curated events like the recent Teen Night Party. For a modest $3 entry fee, teens gather for dancing, competitive karaoke face-offs, music, and snack bars, giving local youth a place to showcase their talents and hang out with friends.

Fighting Hunger and Building Community

Beyond youth recreation, the O.J. Thomas Alumni Community Resource Center serves as a vital safety net for families across Cameron.

In a powerful, ongoing alliance with the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), the center runs a highly successful bi-weekly mobile food distribution program. A recent distribution successfully provided 198 boxes of food to local residents, directly combating childhood food insecurity right here in our neighborhood.

This momentum is sustained heavily by grassroots community efforts:

• Restoration & Progress: Community volunteers are constantly stepping up to enhance the facility. Recently, a volunteer team from Grace Church partnered with the center for a "Take a Blast in the Past" work day—cleaning spaces, playing board games with local children, shooting videos with Cam-corners, playing basketball, and achieving vital facility maintenance progress.
• Fundraising for the Future: To fund the ongoing physical preservation of the building, the center hosts its popular 2nd Sunday Plate Lunch Fundraisers. Featuring comforting, high-quality meals like chicken and dressing or fried chicken baskets, every dollar raised directly advances the mission of "Restoring the Legacy".

Get Involved and Stay Connected

The O.J. Thomas Alumni Community Resource Center thrives entirely because of the people who support it. Whether you want to volunteer for the kitchen staff, drop by for a guided history tour (offered Mondays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM), or support an upcoming fundraiser, the doors are open.

• Address: 1400 W. 6th St., Cameron, TX 76520
• Phone: (254) 482-2034
• Email: ojthomas109@gmail.com
• Event Booking Info: Contact Mrs. Regina at (254) 627-9674