James Allen

At the same moment, center director James Allen had many things on his mind, such as the $138,000 mortgage the center had to somehow pay off to avoid losing its home, a semi-converted warehouse at 128th St. and Park Ave., where hundreds of drug addicts had found shelter from the storm.

Addicts Rehabilitation Center was born in 1957 at the Manhattan Christian Reform Church, reportedly after a man walked into the office of the Rev. Eugene Callender and asked, "Does God love dope fiends?"

At the next Sunday service, the Rev. Callender told the congregation the church would open its second floor that Monday night for a meeting to talk about "the drug problem."One of the men who showed up was James Allen, a former heroin addict who found God in a Kentucky prison and came to New York to see about redeeming himself.And maybe, while he was here, play a little jazz guitar.

Allen volunteered to head Callender's "down and out ministry" for addicts, and by the early 1960s was successful enough for Addicts Rehabilitation Center to break away from the church.Its program remained very much faith-based, but now it had its own building, with more space.It also had the mortgage note that now, in 1965, was about to come due.

At first, Allen would later say, Wright's incessant singing that day just annoyed him.
...
Allen knew a little bit about fund-raising through music.When he was on dope, he used to pull out his guitar and busk on the streets for drug money.

This time, the music would have a higher calling.Allen did a quick inventory of Addicts Rehabilitation Center clientele and found seven men, including Wright, who could sing.
...
By any name, Allen said, it paid off the mortgage in two years.
...
Walking through the building on the eve of its opening, James Allen wondered if he was too old to get serious about picking up his old guitar.

At the same moment, center director James Allen had many things on his mind, such as the $138,000 mortgage the center had to somehow pay off to avoid losing its home, a semi-converted warehouse at 128th St. and Park Ave., where hundreds of drug addicts had found shelter from the storm.

Addicts Rehabilitation Center was born in 1957 at the Manhattan Christian Reform Church, reportedly after a man walked into the office of the Rev. Eugene Callender and asked, "Does God love dope fiends?"

At the next Sunday service, the Rev. Callender told the congregation the church would open its second floor that Monday night for a meeting to talk about "the drug problem."One of the men who showed up was James Allen, a former heroin addict who found God in a Kentucky prison and came to New York to see about redeeming himself.

And maybe, while he was here, play a little jazz guitar.

Allen volunteered to head Callender's "down and out ministry" for addicts, and by the early 1960s was successful enough for Addicts Rehabilitation Center to break away from the church.Its program remained very much faith-based, but now it had its own building, with more space.It also had the mortgage note that now, in 1965, was about to come due.

At first, Allen would later say, Wright's incessant singing that day just annoyed him.

Email form to James Allen James.L.Allen@korea.army.mil
...
Center Manager James Allen James.L.Allen@korea.army.mil
...
Return form to James Allen James.L.Allen@korea.army.mil
...
Email to James Allen James.L.Allen@korea.army.mil
...
Email form to James Allen James.L.Allen@korea.army.mil Click here to see photos of the USO Mobile Canteen
...
Email form to James Allen James.L.Allen@korea.army.mil

James Allen Center Manager James.L.Allen@korea.army.mil

James Allen, Center ManagerE-mail: hallsm@korea.army.mil Office Hours: Monday CLOSED