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Mayor
Newark, New Jersey
Luis A. Quintana
May 15, 2014
c/o R. Ashton Wall
Founder/Executive Director
Colloquium Depot, Ltd.
Post Office Box 617
New York, New York 10159
Dear Newark Arts High School student “Together For A Better World” participants:
On behalf of the entire city of Newark, I would like to congratulate you and the Arts High School students and teachers who completed the “Together For A Better World” arts program at the Colloquium Depot in January of this year.
Bullying is a serious issue across our country, and it must be addressed by every method at hand. The arts are a means that communicates the evils of bullying, enhances the self-esteem of participants, and strengthens the talents of the artists. Your program enabled our young artists to display their excellence and expand their horizons.
We are grateful to you. Just as importantly, we are proud of and thankful to each and every young artist – and their teachers – for the energy and commitment they gave to this important project. We look forward to seeing more outstanding work from them, and wish you and them all the best for the future.
Sincerely yours,
Luis A. Quintana
Mayor, City of Newark
Member of Congress
Charles B. Rangel
September 13, 2012
c/o R. Ashton Wall
Founder/Executive Director
Colloquium Depot, Ltd.
Post Office Box 617
New York, New York 10159
Ms. R. Aston Wall, Executive Director
COLLOQUIUM DEPOT, LTD.
343 East 30th Street
New York, New York 10016
Dear Ms. Wall:
It was great hearing that you and your organization are continuing to provide new and innovative programs that can bring attention to the latest issues involving our young, by way of bringing youth and community together through inter-generational activities, education and the arts. I was certainly glad to learn that combating abuse and bullying were at the top of your list of … “Things to Do.”
Abuse awareness is, indeed, one of the most important issues of our times that concerns and plagues our youth; and yes, it should be the role of the elders to help them in fighting it. There is no question about the fact that abuse of all kinds has expanded and is continuing to grow, because of its ability to change at a moment’s notice; thus rendering it unrecognizable. The sad thing is, however, what is becoming increasingly apparent is that it is first being learned at home. You and your organization, COLLOQUIUM DEPOT, LTD., are to be complimented for your suggested plan to combat abuse by creating abuse awareness projects that can help give it a face.
I’ve also notice that you have expanded your experience base to include: program development for the at risk population using writing and performance as educational tools; play writing commissions and teaching artist residences; workshop facilitation around youth and educational issues; educational staff training; publications; basic educational programming for ex-offender, substance abuser and alternative-to-incarceration populations; and conflict resolution workshops. I agree that the idea of, teaching abuse like etiquette, in the form of curriculum in schools, community centers, and universities is indeed different, but a good start.
Do keep up the good work. I endorse your move to bring attention to abuse awareness and your new endeavor to put a BAN-ON-BULLYING.
Sincerely,
Charles B. Rangel
Member of Congress
Chairman
New York Federal Executive Board
Bernard M. Kilbourn, DDS
January 28, 1986
Dear Ms. Wall:
On behalf of the Board, please accept our sincere appreciation for your participation on the planning committee for the Board’s Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday observance, January 13, 1986.
As you know, the complexity of this activity went far beyond the usual scope of FEB EEO-related observances. You participated from the very begining through the successful completion of the observance; we thank you for volunteering so much of your time to promote ideals so important to so many of our employees.
Again, thank you for your support of this important FEB activity.
Sincerely yours,
Bernard M. Kilbourn, DDS
Chairman
President
Ralph J. Rangel Houses Tenant’s Association
Mack Gaston
October 24, 1978
Dear Mrs. Wall:
We would like to thank you for involving our Agency in the summer activities in conjunction with People’s Park. Over three hundred (300) children in our community participated in Tournaments of Backgammon, Checkers, Table Tennis, Volley Ball and Basketball.
Our Basketball Program was one of the main attraction. We had Scouts, who heard of our Tournaments, came from as far away west as Oklahoma and far south as Georgia. We were fortunate enough for seven ( 7) of the youths to receive scholarships through basketball.
We would like to take a scholarship tour of Junior and Senior colleges in Oklahoma sometime in the month of January, 1979. We have spoken to the coaches of many different schools and they agreed to give us room and board. We are in desperate need of transportation. Enclosed, you will find a break-down of the cost for a bus for the trip.
We hope that you will give this matter your special attention. I am thanking you in advance.
Sincerely your,
Mack Gaston, President
Tenant’s Association
Senator
State of New York
Carl McCall
March 31, 1977
Ms. R. Ashton Wall
Executive Director
People’s Parks Foundation, Inc.
343 East 30 Street, Suite 4L
New York, New York 10016
Dear Ms. Wall:
Thank you for your letter of March 24, bringing me up-to-date on the progress you have made with your program.
I hope you are able to find the additional resources to carry out all segments of your program. You can count on my support and if I can find some way to help, please be assured that I will do all that is possible.
I hope we will stay in touch so that we might cooperate in making your valuable service available to the youth of our community.
Sincerely yours,
Carl McCall
Senator
President
The Borough of Manhattan
Percy E. Sutton
September 21, 1976
Ms. R. Ashton Wall,
Project Director
People’s Parks
215 West 125th Street, Room 633
New York, N. Y. 10027
Dear Ms. Wall:
Permit me to thank you for your very gracious letter of September 9th, 1976.
It was a great opportunity for you to be able to inform the community, in depth, about the People’s Parks Program on Fred Ellis’ Human Services T.V. show. I regret, however, that I had to miss seeing you as I do not receive Channel “D” on my set.
My best wishes to you on the continuing success of your very worthwhile endeavor.
Thanking you again for taking the time from your busy day to write. With warm regards, I am
Sincerely,
Percy E. Sutton
Administrator
The City of New York
Office of The Mayor
Heyward B. Davenport
August 23, 1976
Ms. Romana Ashton Wall
Project Director
People’s Parks
215 West 125 Street -Room 633
New York, New York 10027
Dear Ms. Wall:
I am happy to fully endorse and support the People’s Parks Summer ’76 Bicentennial Festival.
With youth unemployment at such a chronically high rate in Harlem, this program provides avenues away from the inevitable “forced idleness,” boredom and the consequent anti-social conduct of youth who are caught in the web of both poverty and discrimination.
This organized recreational program offers the opportunity for a socialization process that has demonstrated value in building good character, self pride and respect for others.
Please be assured of my continued availability to assist your efforts in any way I can.
Sincerely yours,
Heyward B. Davenport
Administrator
Supervisor Clerk
Adolescent Clinic
Mr. R. Menefee
August 1, 1976
Ms. R. Wall
Haryou Act People’s Park Program
215 West 125th Street
New York, N. Y. 10027
Dear Ms. Wall,
Thank you being so nice to one of our adolescents. He was very impressed at the prompt service your Agency offered him. We are hoping to be able to use your Agency in the near future.
Enclosed is a guideline to our referral program. If we can be of help to you please feel free to call upon us.
Sincerely,
Mrs. R. Menefee
Supervisor Clerk
Adolescent Clinic
Senator
State of New York
Carl McCall
September 27, 1977
Ms. R. Ashton Wall
Executive Director
People’s Parks Foundation, Inc.
343 East 30th Street, Suite 4L
New York, NY 10016
Dear Ms. Wall:
I got your excellent reports on the summer program. Your perseverance and creativity really paid off. Congratulations on a job well done.
Sincerely,
Carl McCall
Volunteer Supervisor
Judy Trent
September 14, 1977
R. Ashton Wall, Executive Director
People’s Parks Foundation. Inc.
343 East 30 Street, Suite 4L
New York. New York 10016
Dear Ashton:
On behalf of the staff and residents of the Sheridan Unit of the Manhattan Developmental Center, I want to thank you for inviting us to attend the Harlem Water Ballet on August 26.1977. Our clients thoroughly enjoyed the music and color of the performance.
We believe that our residents are entitled to a broad range of recreational experiences. Frequently we must depend on the generosity of organizations such as yours to help us provide this for our clients.
Thank you for your interest in our residents.
Sincerely yours,
Judy Trent,
Volunteer Supervisor
Mayor
The City of New York
Abraham D. Beame
July 30, 1976
Ms. Ramona Ashton Wall
Project Director
People’s Parks
215 West 125th Street – Rm. 633
New York, New York 10027
Dear Ms. Wall:
It is a great pleasure for me to congratulate the Haryou-Act Community Corporation on its imaginative People’s Parks Summer ’76 Bicentennial Festival Program.
This program will provide sports and recreational opportunities for several hundred Harlem Youth. But more importantly this project will endeavor to instill pride, initiative and help develop character in these youths. These are worthy goals that can contribute significantly to producing positive and constructive attitudes on the part of youth towards their community and the entire City.
I note that you have the support of many organizations in the private sector. I hope many more will contribute their resources to help make this worthwhile program a success.
I highly commend this special program and offer my best wishes to you and my good friend Councilman Fred Samuel, Chairman of the Board of Haryou-Act Inc., for your leadership in this valuable program to aid our youth.
Sincerely,
Abraham D. Beame
Mayor
Member of Congress
Charles B. Rangel
July 28, 1976
Ramona Ashton Wall
Project Director
People’s Parks
215 West 125th Street Room 633
New York, New York 10027
Dear Ms. Wall:
It is with great pleasure that I write to lend my support to the People’s Parks Summer 1976 Bicentennial Festival.
The People’s Parks Summer Program which will provide constructive activities in Basketball, Dance, Drama and Arts and Crafts throughout the summer months is truly needed in the Harlem community.
Your Basketball program with over one thousand youngsters participating on sixty male teams and twenty female teams is a credit to the wonderful job you are doing.
The goals and objectives of the People’s Park Program to involve alienated and disoriented youth in exciting recreational activity and to utilize their interest in sports and recreation as a means of helping to solve the many problems they face daily is truly heartening.
Youth have always been one of my top priorities and your program which will effectively prevent juvenile delinquency through active participation in sports is wholeheartedly supported by me.
I commend you for your dedication and concern for Harlem youngster and I wish you continued success in your program.
Sincerely,
Charles B. Rangel
Member of Congress