Dear Colleagues and Friends:
After thirteen years of working closely with the children and families of Hunts
Point, I stand in awe at what our HPAC Scholars have achieved. When you read the
stories and poems in the current volume of The 6 Train, you will get a glimpse into our
world at HPAC. Our Scholars write about a range of emotions within the contexts of
family, life, and their neighborhood.
Living and working in Hunts Point is a roller coaster ride of ups and downs,
slow climbs and fast twists and turns. Our students capture the ride in their own
poems and stories. Their words and efforts awaken in all HPAC staff a spirit of joy
and tenderness. We are fortunate that they are part of our lives and each day we learn
from them about love, resilience, and family responsibility.
There are so many people to recognize who understand what our kids have
had to deal with in order to make breakthroughs and achieve personal and academic
success. That describes no one more than the dynamic mother and daughter team—
Adriana and Valerie Mnuchin. The 6 Train: Volume III is dedicated to you both. We
would also like to honor David Lynn, Editor of The Kenyon Review and Anna Duke
Reach, Director of Programs at The Kenyon Review, who help provide our Scholars
with a life-changing opportunity that leads to the production of The 6 Train. These
four individuals ignited a spark and passion for reading and writing as a way of understanding yourself, others, and the world.
David Foster Wallace, a graduate of Kenyon College, wrote: “That there
might not be angels, but there are people who might as well be angels.” Thank you
Adriana, Valerie, David, and Anna for being part of HPAC’s choir of angels. We could
not be doing this work without your love and kindness. Join us as we celebrate the
words written from the hearts of our young people who have helped change our lives.
With warm wishes,
Maryann G. Hedaa
President and Founder
The Hunts Point Alliance for Children
HPAC YOUNG WRITERS REVIEW