Recognizing and Honoring the Original Richard Allen Committee for its Dedication to Improving the Quality of Life for At-Risk Philadelphians Including Feeding the Hungry, Clothing Families through Clothing Drives and Mentoring Youth.

WHEREAS, The Reverend Richard Allen, for whom The Richard Allen Homes in Philadelphia is named, and who also founded the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, embodied a core principal and philosophy of self-help; and

WHEREAS, The Original Richard Allen Committee (ORAC), was established in the summer of 1990 by Richard Allen Homes' residents for reasons of nostalgia, socialization and friendship; and

WHEREAS, ORAC was also created as a response to prevailing negative, social and economic trends impacting minority and other at-risk Philadelphians; and

WHEREAS, ORAC is a broad-based non-profit educational and fundraising organization dedicated to the promotion of positive works and projects that will ultimately benefit society as a whole; and

WHEREAS, ORAC was established to help alleviate hunger and other economic strains of the community including the establishment of a scholarship fund and the development of a selection process to identify qualified students in need; and

WHEREAS, ORAC has focused its energies on the teachings of the, “Keepers of the Dream.” These teachings prioritize support for at-risk youth, residents experiencing economic hardship, residents requiring critical and preventive healthcare and the continued bonding achieved through an annual picnic which provides a forum for honoring former and current residents; and

WHEREAS, The Original Richard Allen Committee has been successful in providing cultural experiences for youth, scholarships for students who have excelled in spite of adversities, and symposiums on topics including non-violent dispute resolution, just to name a few. Its cultural-based events have included field trips to Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church and the Afro-American Museum of Philadelphia (AAMP). Scholarships have been awarded to students from William Penn and Benjamin Franklin High Schools, to assist students with the costs of higher education; and

WHEREAS, Many members of ORAC attended Spring Garden Elementary and ORAC has adopted Spring Garden School, where members have participated in the school's Career Day, mentoring programs and provided field trips; and

WHEREAS, Several ORAC members and former residents have reached celebrity status including; boxers George “Champ” Benton and the late James “Black Gold” Schuler; Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell; Senator Shirley Kitchen; public relations professional and former banker, A. Bruce Crawley; the late Eugene “Bird” Daugherty of the Intruders; Executive Director of Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti Violence Network, James Mill; Attorney Ronald White; and educator, entertainer and philanthropist, Dr. William Cosby, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, ORAC forges ahead tirelessly in its efforts to uplift humanity through its many initiatives in Richard Allen and the surrounding communities; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL, Recognizes and honors the Original Richard Allen Committee for its dedication to improving the quality of life for at-risk Philadelphians including feeding the hungry, clothing families through clothing drives and mentoring youth.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented as a sincere expression of this Council's recognition and appreciation.

End