Allan's work, lectures and writing focuses on the difference in society that one person can make and the important role of nonprofit organizations as the public’s conscience. From his roots in the idealism of the ‘60s and ‘70s, he brings to the fore the personal benefits of volunteering, mentoring, and social change leadership. Among his audiences are business trade associations, fraternal organizations, religious groups, alumni associations, retirement groups, and both nonprofits and for-profit corporations with social change agendas.
Social Responsibility
His leadership and nationally recognized concepts for creating model human services programs has helped to improve the lives of children-at-risk and their mentors, as well as strengthen communities that are served through volunteers.
Allan initiated and led campaigns for the successful passage of laws that have made their mark on the population at large, affecting public policy and social change. He is credited with the following:
- Posting warning posters in New York City bars and restaurants about the risks of birth defects from drinking while pregnant, was the nation’s first such law, adopted in 1983. Allan Luks directed the research and organized New Yorkers to document this need that led to the precedent-setting New York law. Prior to the NYC posters, 54% of respondents mentioned birth defects as a result of drinking while pregnant. Only a year after the posters were introduced, 68% mentioned birth defects as a consequence of drinking. The increase in awareness occurred among both men and women. Other cities and states, and eventually the federal government passed similar laws, including the warnings that now appear on all alcoholic beverage bottles and cans.
- In 1976, Allan Luks pioneered the research that identified the problem that recovered alcoholics, who applied for employment and other positions, were arbitrarily refused. He led the adoption of the New York City law that prevents discrimination against recovered alcoholics, which was subsequently adopted by New York and many other states.
- Allan Luks organized and guided more than 140 New York organizations to obtain passage of the Safe Mentoring Act, which requires mentoring agencies to inform parents of the types of background checks they perform. Signed in 2006, it is the first such law in the nation.
Allan Luks invited to speak at a national meeting on the social impact of helping others.