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Sunday, February 13, 2011

Frederick Douglass Brought to Life In Portland

PORTLAND, CT--Nationally acclaimed actor Fred Morsell brought Frederick Douglass to life before a crowd of more than one hundred students, parents and area residents last night in his one-man play, Presenting Mr. Frederick Douglass: His Life and Times.

In about 1830, a twelve year old boy living in Baltimore aspired to rise above his circumstances but he had a major problem. He did not yet know how to read. The young man didn't suffer from any type of learning disability. To the contrary, he was one of the most talented and gifted young minds in the country. The curious twelve year old couldn't read because the law--which was strictly enforced--prohibited anyone from educating a slave.

We wanted to mention three quick items regarding tomorrow night's Holiday Party.

First, we look forward to seeing you and your kids!

PORTLAND, CT--Gary H. Collins, founder and CEO of the Collins Foundation, Inc., announced today that the Foundation has begun accepting applications for its 2011 scholarship class.
The Foundation is inviting senior level students who are presently attending a Connecticut public high school and who will be attending college in the fall semester of 2011 to apply. Additionally, a select number of underclassman will be selected to receive a scholarship that can be applied toward their college educations upon graduation from high school.

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May 12, 2010
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“This book stands as a remarkable testament to the power of higher education, as well as, a haunting reminder of the awesome costs we all bear when it is denied,” Gary Collins, CEO and Founder of the Collins Foundation, Inc., noted earlier today. “We are proud to include this important work as part of our support of `The Big Read' this summer."

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March 17, 2010
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Barbara Richard, a junior at Norwich Free Academy, aspires to be a pediatrician. One or Barbara’s classmates, Lousie Sylvain, also a junior, likewise possesses a drive to rise above her circumstances. Both Barbara and Louise are keenly aware that the only path to changing their circumstances is through higher education.

Do you remember the stories we told you about the fourteen year-old girl studying beneath the lights of a homeless shelter, the son of a single mother trying to escape the horrors of gang violence and the other children across our state trying to change their circumstances through higher education?

Well, they are all going to college thanks to your help!

Thank you for making Dr. King's holiday a day of activism by both advancing the education of this extraordinarly group of young people and providing much needed food for the hungry.

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January 18 2010
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CROMWELL--A capacity crowd turned out at the Crowne Plaza - Cromwell, to make Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s holiday a day of activism by helping a remarkable assembly of students from the Bridgeport, Hartford and Portland areas realize the dream of higher education.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2010
Contact: (816) 316-7183

CROMWELL—Dignitaries from government, private industry and academia descended on the Crowne Plaza - Cromwell to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King Martin Luther King, Jr. and to provide teenagers from all parts of the state with a key networking opportunity.

Gary H. Collins, founder and CEO of the Collins Foundation, Inc, noted “these types of gatherings are crucial to our efforts to help kids from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds to expand their network of potential mentors and potential employers.”