History

 The original idea of Week of the People was the brain child of the leadership of the Somerset Community Action Program (SCAP) a 501©3 non-profit organization. The leaders were Theodor “Ted” Taylor, Mamie Moore, Ronald Copeland and Lennox Hines, along with many members of the community, establishing the Week of the People celebration in 1971. It became an important tradition in Franklin Township.

Week of the People was created in 1971 as a means to bring together the Franklin Township community, businesses and community organizations, for a week-long celebration of cultures, faiths, education, art and health. Recently becoming its own 501©3 non-profit organization, the Week of the People, Inc. (WOPI) will continue to produce cultural events and program throughout Franklin Township and neighboring areas.

SCAP itself was established in 1965 as one of the first few community action programs nationwide set to implement the Economic Opportunities Act. With SCAP’s strong community base commitment, the WOPI was just one of the vehicles used to reach out and Embrace the community, ergo the WOPI’s theme, “Community in Unity.”

In 1982 the WOPI celebrations ended due to budget cuts. However, in 2004 the SCAP Board of Trustees decided to bring it back, hoping to once again bring communities together again.

2021 will commemorate the Week of the People’s 50th year and its Board of Trustees is working hard to bring back the days when there was a Parade to kick-off the festivities, immediately followed by a week-long celebration highlighting children to senior citizens, art, faith, cultures and community awards, celebrating community unity.