22nd Annual Richard Allen Homes Reunion Introduces New Video Documentary on the Housing Development

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,000 persons were in attendance for the recent 22^nd Annual Richard Allen Homes Reunion, hosted by the Original Richard Allen Committee (ORAC), at Lemon Hill, in Fairmount Park, here. During the day-long event, the committee introduced its brand-new video documentary, which includes images of the housing project dating back to the 1940s, and interviews with 21 current and former residents, including Philadelphia City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and legendary jazz saxophonist Bootsie Barnes. Afterward, the committee also awarded two, $500 scholarships to college-bound high school seniors, Ryan Barksdale-White, of Northeast High School; and Baseemah C. Tolbert-Hassan of Philadelphia Electronics and Technology Charter School.

The DVD, which is titled "Richard Allen Homes: An Extended Urban Family" has a run time of approximately 45 minutes and discusses the origins of the social and economic climate at the development, over a 71-year period.

In addition to the scholarship awards, the reunion also provides an opportunity for the committee to raise funds for the U.S. Savings Bond awards that it presents to 18 kindergarten-through-eighth-grade students, a boy and a girl from each class, from the neighboring Spring Garden School, which is nearby the housing development, on 12^th and Melon Streets, in North Central Philadelphia.

"When the Original Richard Allen Committee was founded, in 1990, the goal was to facilitate the union of former and current residents for positive events and functions," said Frank Williams, president, ORAC. "Since then, through these platforms, ORAC has been able to unify the generations of Richard Allen tenants, as well as give back to the community through its scholarship and savings bonds programs."

He continued, "The creation and release of the DVD provides a visual example of what it means to come from the Richard Allen community, giving a bit of insight to the very reason ORAC exists, today."

For additional information on the 22^nd Annual Richard Allen Homes Reunion, the video and souvenirs of the event, please visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Original-Richard-Allen-Committee/161611113975235.

About The Original Richard Allen Committee, Inc.

The Original Richard Allen Committee, Inc. was founded 22 years ago by a small group of former residents of the Richard Allen housing development, in addition to the annual Senior's Event the committee also hosts an annual reunion wherein, members come together to renew relationships formed during their time spent in the housing development; as well as award a high school senior, from the development, with a cash scholarship to help with school expenses. The Richard Allen Housing Development, which is located between 9^th and 12^th Streets and between Fairmount Avenue and Poplar Street in North Central Philadelphia, was originally built in 1941.

SOURCE Original Richard Allen Committee