About The Organization
Gentlemen of Vision Rites of Passage Enterprises, Inc. (G.O.V.) was founded in 2009 by Mr. Marlon Wharton and the late Mr. Paul Albea on the campus of Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis, Missouri. Both Mr. Wharton and Mr. Albea saw an increasing and alarming need to address the issues and concerns of young socioeconomically disadvantaged males. Mr. Wharton believes that there is a lack of counseling, academics, mentoring, and programs that specialize in fostering manhood among young males that would curtail the increasing dropout rate.
The Gentlemen of Vision Rites of Passage Enterprises, Inc. is a community-based program currently servicing males from various school districts within the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. The organization has an impeccable 100 percent high school graduation and college admission/retention rate. Since 2009, every member has successfully completed high school and has been accepted into a college or university. In addition to servicing high school members, G.O.V. has extended its services to middle school Y.M.O.V. members, Collegiate members, and the GOV/NJROTC Drill Team.
As the number of members and the demand of G.O.V. services increase, the organization has grown in staff and appointed a Board of Directors.
The Gentlemen of Vision Rites of Passage Enterprises, Inc. (GOV), a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization, does not and shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, or national origin.
