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File #: 150926    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 12/3/2015 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 12/10/2015
Title: Also naming Lehigh Avenue from 24th Street to 25th Street as "Rev. Henry T. Wells Walk".
Sponsors: Council President Clarke, Councilmember Greenlee
Attachments: 1. Resolution No. 15092600.pdf, 2. Signature15092600.pdf
Title
Also naming Lehigh Avenue from 24th Street to 25th Street as "Rev. Henry T. Wells Walk".

Body
WHEREAS, Reverend Henry T. Wells, a native of Ocala, Florida, was born on Christmas Day in 1929 moved to Philadelphia in 1975 to escape social troubles; and

WHEREAS, With the help of a drug rehab program and the support of a great woman, his wife Margaret Rev. Wells not only changed his life, but set about changing the lives of others. He understood that most addicts have little or no money, health insurance or a place to live often making them unable to cope with the recovery process without support from other recovering addicts. From the first couple invited to share his home, Henry continued to reach out to other homeless addicts seeking a supportive environment to fight addiction; and

WHEREAS, In1983, Rev. Wells founded One Day At A Time ("ODAAT"), providing the groundwork for the peer based/community based recovery model. It has become a national and international model as a working example of what was possible from within the community, and by the community, to treat the stubborn problem of drug addiction; and

WHEREAS, Through the efforts of ODAAT, led by Rev. Wells, countless lives were saved during the drug epidemic of the 80's and 90's; and

WHEREAS, ODAAT and Reverend Wells have received much acclaim for its vision and programs. They have been featured in many national newspapers including USA Today, The Sun, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News. ODAAT has also been featured in many national news programs including 48 Hours, NBC World News and 60 Minutes; and

WHEREAS, ODAAT has since expanded its programs and continues to serve thousand of residential clients annually at its facilities supplying recovery, addiction and homeless shelter services. ODAAT provides HIV/AIDS prevention, education and care outreach programs through its prevention and outreach teams who connect with thousands of people annually and boast...

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