magnifier
Original Document
magbottom
 
Original Document
7000 at Sunday W. Phila. OIC Center Opening

Speakers Laud Crowd, Unit for Self-Improvement

The faces of the seven thousand persons who jammed 52nd st., between Market and Chestnut, Sunday for the opening of the West Philadelphia Branch of Opportunities Industrialization Center were as bright as the made-to-order weather. It was a festive occasion with serious overtones as the crowd gathered to witness the dedication ceremonies of the newest center.

The building, located at 17 South 52nd st., was donated to the group for use by Sol Feinstone. Feinstone, a 77-year old retired farmer from Bucks County also donated $20,000 for renovation of the six-floor structure to fit the needs of the group.

The annual rent charges on the building are "a piece of burnt toast and a cup of black coffee". The charges are to symbolize the far times Feinstone had as a penniless immigrant. He was not on hand for the dedication, preferring to remain in the background.

MASONS PARTICIPATE


More than fifty members of Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania participated in the opening ceremonies along with a number of Elk Lodge bands, the Opportunities Industrialization Center Glee Club and the White Rock Baptist Choir.

Rev. Leon H. Sullivan, chairman of the Board of OIC, told the crowd that the opening of the center marks a new era in civil rights. "The white community will soon learn that the Negro does not want a handout, he wants to help himself."

"We must continue to protest" he added, "but the new direction in civil rights must include preparing Negroes to produce in this county."

1500 ENROLLED

1500 men and women are currently enrolled in the OIC program. The new center, at the suggestion of Feinstone, will be used primarily to teach all phases of merchandising. The first two floors of the building will be a complete merchandise mart, composed of shops offering clothing, furniture, appliances and other items for sale to the public. The upper floors will be used for training classes in buying, selling, secretarial training, real estate salesmanship and other phases of merchandising.

Mr. Sullivan expressed the hope that the center would open within 30 days, but said he was making this announcement with the "calculated faith that the Federal government's anti-poverty program will grant them $2 million to underwrite the cost of the city-wide OIC program.

BOWSER ON HAND

Charles Bowser, Philadelphia's chief of the Anti-Poverty program, made a brief appearance at the dedication ceremonies and said that the size of the crowd indicated how enthusiastic the community was about the program.

"We can't," Browser said, "condemn a man who never had a chance. This center is going to do what all America must do if we are to rid the country of poverty: give everybody a chance."

The OIC has expanded its operation from the original training center at 19th and Oxford sts. to centers at 19th and Diamond streets and the center at 17 s. 52nd st. New facilities are to open soon at 100 East Price st. in Germantown and 1943 and 1945 Gerritt st. in South Philadelphia.

City solicitor Edward Bauer represented Mayor James Tate at the ceremonies. Miss Sheryl Nelson 19, of e. Queen Lane, was named Miss OIC. She won the title by raising the most funds for the center. She is a student at North Broad Street (feeder program) center of OIC.

President Johnson sent a telegram to Sullivan for the occasion. The President said: "This new facility should brighten the employment prospects of a large number of disadvantaged Philadelphians so that they may be lead useful, rewarding lives."



Credit: 7000 at Sunday - W. Philadelphia OIC Center Opening, Philadelphia Tribune, May 4, 1965
Back to Top