In August 1981, 45 people marched from Allen Temple Baptist Church to the newly opened Allen Temple Arms to celebrate the fulfillment of the church’s dream: A community that seniors with limited incomes in Oakland, Calif., would be proud to call home.
Some 30 years later, on Dec. 11, 2011, Allen Temple Arms hosted another joyful occasion — a Mortgage Burning Celebration. The community paid off its mortgage last August, and commemorated the occasion by hosting the ceremony, complete with a re-creation of the original walk.
Those attending included Dave Ferguson, ABHOW president and CEO; Joe Anderson, ABHOW Foundation president; Ancel Romero, senior vice president for affordable housing; and Kay Kallander, senior vice president for strategic planning. Four original residents who still live at “The Arms” were also present.
“The mood at the celebration was so jubilant,” says Margaret Powell, an 11-year resident of the complex. “The Allen Temple Arms are important to people like me on a limited income, and low-income housing for seniors and (the) handicapped is an important option. Paying off this loan means that seniors and the handicapped will continue to have access to quality housing.”
Allen Temple Arms began as the dream of Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr., pastor emeritus of Allen Temple Baptist Church, who gave the keynote address at the celebration.
Smith approached his friend Dr. Richard Ice, then president and CEO of ABHOW, about working with the church to help build homes for seniors with limited incomes. There was a dearth of affordable housing in East Oakland at that time.
“Our calling as Christians is to feed the hungry, house the homeless and clothe the naked. Before we can do anything else, that’s the mission of the church,” says Kendra Roberts, regional property supervisor at ABHOW and a member of the church. “Allen Temple Baptist Church is heavily invested in that calling.”
When the church worked with ABHOW 30 years ago to provide affordable housing, it was the first step in what has become a long tradition of social service programs. Today, Allen Temple Baptist Church provides many community services, including life skills classes and a Head Start preschool program.
The community has grown too, and now includes Allen Temple Arms I and II, Allen Temple Manor and Allen Temple Gardens.
“The Mortgage Burning Celebration was about much more than paying off the mortgage, it was about furthering the original dream of Rev. Smith,” says Roberts.
Funds once used to pay the mortgage will now be put to other uses, including community renovations and an expansion that will include homes for HIV-positive residents. Roberts said the community’s recent celebrations were infused with respect and appreciation of those who made it possible.
“Allen Temple Arms was made possible because of relationships…between Allen Temple Baptist Church and ABHOW,” she said. “I think if you’re serious about something and have the right people around the table supporting you, anything is possible.”
Shannon Hartsoe
With more than a decade of writing experience, Shannon's diverse portfolio consists of feature articles on a broad range of topics, including health and wellness, business, human interest and family. full bio
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