"What's the point?"
One autumn morning, a student named Mark carefully planted a daffodil in a special corner of Harlem Link's garden. Cared for by our founding board member and dean, John Reddick, this is the place for children to sow a memory when a loved one passes on. With John's help, grieving students plant perennials like Mark's daffodil -- fowers that will endure the winter and bloom again to greet the spring. And every spring, year after year, day after day, Harlem Link students and alumni return to visit their special flowers. John's corner of the garden offers renewal, support, and healing, most of all for those like Mark, who initially asked, "What's the point?"
When you ask John why he takes on this work, his reply is simple: "I used to be one of these kids."
From the day John was born, health and family challenges stood in his way, as serious as any that Mark and his fellow Harlem Link students face today. But John's community intervened. He was cared for by a neighboring family; his local police precinct took him under its wing as a mentee; and lessons at a nearby martial arts school strengthened him inside and out. Renewed daily by the love and support he received from those around him, he found the path to success and fulfillment that brought him to our school.
John believes in the power of consistent support and a caring community, values he shares with every member of our Harlem Link family.
Our commitment to our scholars begins in infancy with our Start to Finish program, offering parents the tools to encourage literacy. It continues through school with our specialized curriculum, emphasis on social-emotional growth and our after-school enrichment program, After All, another of John's creations that continues to bloom. And after graduation, our support continues as alumni enter the latter phase of Start to Finish and join our alumni network, which offers reunions, college admissions help, even internships.
It's all part of a pledge that we renew with the start of each school day: to help each child realize his or her potential to grow into an articulate scholar and active citizen -- as Mark, now a graduate, has done.
Giving Tuesday comes only once a year. Last year, your donations helped us keep our after school program going. Providing educational enrichment for students and support for their families, this critical piece of Harlem Link's vision needs your help once more! We hope you'll join John, whose monthly donations help our scholars grow strong, both academically and emotionally. Our goal this year is to reach $125,000, which will enable us to renew After All for another year.
So what's the point? The point is that our school is a garden, and with the help of caring people like you, our students are sure to blossom more beautifully each year. Stay warm this winter. John and the rest of us at Harlem Link Charter School will see you again in the spring.
