[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 164 (Thursday, October 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING ALL PEOPLES COMMUNITY CENTER'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2017

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate All 
Peoples Community Center, a community-based organization in my 40th 
Congressional District, on the celebration of its 75th Anniversary.
  The center was originally founded as All Peoples Christian Center in 
the 1920s, in the historic area of South Los Angeles. During World War 
II, the center was vacated due to the tragic relocation of its Japanese 
American members to internment camps.
  In 1942, Pastor Dan Genung and his wife Frances moved from Chicago to 
Los Angeles with the primary goal of establishing a church, and founded 
the All Peoples Christian Church. Pastor Genung was hired to minister 
to the remaining Japanese American families and other community members 
who were African American, Latino, Armenian, and Chinese, and this 
multicultural community made an impact on Pastor Genung's vision to 
turn the church into a ``house of prayer for all peoples.'' Over time, 
Pastor Genung saw the need to minister to not only the spiritual needs 
of the people in the community, but to their social needs as well.
  In the early history of the church, the minister served both as the 
pastor to the church and the executive director of the community 
center. Until 1964, the church and center worked as a single entity, 
which allowed both of them to pursue their separate but united goals.
  Over its 75-year history, All Peoples has survived numerous changes 
in demography and culture while continuing to serve thousands of 
clients. The center is--and has always been--a safe haven, a beacon of 
hope and help, and a problem solving resource for the community of 
South Los Angeles.
  In the 1960s, All Peoples responded to the civil rights movement by 
opening its doors to social activists for dialogue and discussion. 
Cesar Chavez and farm workers were hosted on-site during their campaign 
to defend immigrants' rights. During the 1965 Watts Riots, All Peoples 
remained open and distributed food to community members due to local 
markets being burned to the ground or closed.
  As the community transitioned from African American to Latino in the 
1970s, the center responded to its new neighbors by hiring staff who 
were bicultural, and who spoke both English and Spanish. In addition, 
multicultural activities were held at All Peoples to build a sense of 
community that was inclusive of the changing demographics in South Los 
Angeles.
  All Peoples has become, and continues to be, one of Los Angeles' most 
senior and trusted place-based community organizations. It helps 
diverse, economically challenged residents measurably improve and 
transform their own lives by providing a comprehensive range of vital 
services, leadership, and hands-on care.
  Through hard work, perseverance, and dedication to the community, 
Saundra Bryant has been the Executive Director of All Peoples for the 
past 34 years. Her first experience with All Peoples was as a two-year-
old in the center's day care facility. She continued to participate in 
the center's programs throughout her adolescence, and served as a 
summer employee during college. Her commitment and passion for her 
community is demonstrated by her lifelong tenure of serving others.
  In 2016, All Peoples was designated by the City of Los Angeles 
Housing and Community Investment Department to operate as the new 
FamilySource Center for the Southeast area of Los Angeles. The center's 
philosophy has an emphasis on education as the tool for successful 
community building. Thus, all of its programs have an educational 
component that integrates entire families and individuals. All Peoples 
is also committed to providing employment opportunities and leadership 
development to all community members.
  All Peoples offers its neighbors a comprehensive after-school 
program, parenting and women's leadership classes, community micro-
farming, financial literacy and health education workshops, case 
management, food distribution, a VITA Center, and the Retired and 
Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). It also offers YouthSource, 
FamilySource, and WorkSource services that provide training to new 
employees, and retraining to those whose traditional skills have become 
obsolete; immigration services, which provide residency establishment, 
legal services, and education about basic rights and obligations; 
English as a Second Language classes; domestic violence support groups 
and counseling; and extended day care.
  All Peoples Community Center is proudly celebrating its 75th 
Anniversary of continuous service to the community, and will hold its 
annual gala on October 19, 2017.
  The 75th Anniversary gala will feature awards for three special 
honorees. First, actress, model, and recording star Meredith O'Connor 
will receive the Inspiration Award for her strong public advocacy on 
bullying and domestic violence issues. Ms. O'Connor is also a Celebrity 
Youth Ambassador for United Nations Project 50/50.
  The Dan B. Genung Visionary Leadership Award will be given to Anne 
Tremblay, Director of the Los Angeles Mayor's Office Gang Reduction and 
Youth Development Program.
  The Joe Ide Spirit of Community Award will be given to Ricardo 
Mendoza, Associate Vice President for Community Outreach and Business 
Development for Lee Andrews Group, a public relations firm.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in sending best wishes and 
congratulations to All Peoples Community Center on its 75th 
Anniversary. The center has played a vital role in providing services 
to families in South Los Angeles over the past 75 years. I wish All 
Peoples Community Center continued success as it continues to enhance 
and empower our communities.

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