Master plan in the works for Medard’s House youth center

Architect Pete Colello of Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects has a personal connection to Medard’s House in New Cumberland, where his aunt is the executive director.

The smell from the kitchen fills the whole space with a sense of comfort. It feels like home, and for many of the teenagers gathered around the stove or sitting up at the counter, Medard’s House is a retreat.

In 2017, the donated church on Drexel Hills Boulevard in New Cumberland, Pa., became the landmark Saundra Colello had only dreamed of finding. It was a far cry from the place she envisioned it to be, but it was practically a blank slate – a place she could tweak and adjust until it was just right.

The vision for Medard’s House came from tragedy, but from it, Saundra and a team of community volunteers are working to make it a place that changes lives.

A place of comfort

On any given night, Saundra would have 30 teenagers in her home, eating a hot meal, doing homework, or singing praise and worship songs together. Her sons were grieving the loss of their friend, Medard Kowalski, Jr., who died in a canoeing accident in December 2014. His body was missing for three months.

In those long months where the high school classmates gathered and mourned, Saundra saw a need for a community place where teenagers could come together, without pressure or any requirements, and simply hang out.

In 2015, Medard’s House became a 501(c)(3) organization and set out on a mission to find a permanent location. In 2017, a donated church became a haven for area teenagers to gather, be mentored, and sometimes, to simply enjoy a meal together.

Completing the vision

The first project Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects oversaw at Medard’s House was a kitchen expansion, where donated foods could be properly prepared and teenagers could learn life-long cooking skills.

Today, Architect Pete Colello has the unique pleasure of working on a Master Plan to help his aunt – now the Executive Director of Medard’s House – to bring her vision to life.

While COVID-19 impacted the work of the home, it still served about 40 teenagers each week. It continues to be a comfortable place for them to gather together, but Saundra is excited at the idea of adding a rock-climbing wall in the existing gym and putting ball fields and a pavilion out back – among other improvements/amenities.

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“It’s a great feeling to be able to take my skills and help my family bring forth this vision,” Pete says. “There aren’t always opportunities to work on projects that have such a personal connection, and I’m grateful for the chance to do that here.”

Once the Master Plan is complete, Medard’s House will be able to approach the public for fundraising to bring some of those specific improvement goals to life. The community impact could be far greater, and even though Medard’s life ended far too soon, the impact of his character will be felt for many years to come.

“The need this fulfills in the community is pretty wonderful to see,” Pete says. “I know this work is going to make a difference in someone’s life. And that’s the best kind of work you can do.”

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