Mike Was There for Us from the Beginning

THE LINK RECOGNIZES SENATOR MIKE REGAN FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS

When tragedy struck our community in 2015, claiming the life of one of our beloved young people, the community rallied together. Out of that tragedy, a nonprofit was formed in honor of Medard Kowalski Jr. Over the years, much has transpired, but one thing remains certain: without the support of Senator Mike Regan, we would not be where we are today. Mike has been one of our biggest supporters and cheerleaders, even when we weren’t sure we would make it.

At The Link 4 Youth, our mission is to create a nurturing environment where every child can find love, support, and guidance. We aim to assist our youth and their families with life’s challenges, whether the need is for tutoring, counseling, spiritual growth, a hot meal, help with a job application, a college application, a cooking class, a music lesson, and so much more. Our goal is to ensure that no child is left behind and that every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

When we secured the use of the Senior Center in New Cumberland, Mike was there at our ribbon-cutting ceremony. When the building on Drexel Hills Boulevard was dedicated and gifted to us, Mike was there. He supported us during our opioid awareness community night, celebrated with us when we changed our name to serve the next generation of youth, and stood by us during the tough days of COVID-19 with a grant that secured our tenure. Every time we set up a booth at National Night Out or other public events, Mike would stop by to say hello and support us. When we needed assistance navigating the grant world, Mike sent over three staff members to educate us on how to navigate the nonprofit grant world! He always asked how he could serve us, what we had going on, and what he could do to assist us.

Mike’s unwavering support has enabled us to expand our programs and reach more youth in our community. We have been able to provide after-school support during the critical hours of 3-6pm, offering homework help, tutoring, and skill-building activities such as gardening and cooking. His contributions have allowed us to serve thousands of meals to underserved youth and provide a safe space for them to grow and learn. Mike’s commitment to our mission has been unwavering, and his belief in our cause has been a source of strength and inspiration.

We simply cannot say enough good things about the support we have received from our community and those who represent it. God has been good to our organization, and we are forever grateful.

Thank you, Senator Regan, and your entire staff for being there over the years. Thank you for answering our questions, for taking our calls, and for considering our needs so that we could and can continue to serve the youth in the West Shore community. We will never forget. Truly.

Saundra Colello, Co-Founder and Executive Director, The Link 4 Youth