Honoring the Michel Foundation: A Legacy of Unwavering Commitment to Global Service

At the heart of every meaningful Youthlinc project -whether local or international - there is a consistent, steadfast force helping bring it to life: the Michel Foundation. As Youthlinc’s largest and longest-standing donor, the Michel Foundation has been a pillar of support for more than two decades, empowering thousands of young people to serve with purpose and investing in sustainable infrastructure that strengthens communities around the globe.

Their impact goes far beyond dollars. The Michel Foundation’s enduring partnership has shaped the very DNA of Youthlinc - a belief that service is not only about presence, but about promise.

This was made strikingly clear during a recent conversation between myself and Nam Quang, our longtime In-Country Coordinator in Vietnam. With visible emotion, Nam reflected on the summer of 2020 - a year when the pandemic halted international travel and upended plans across the globe. Despite not being able to bring student teams in person, Youthlinc, with the help of the Michel Foundation, chose not to pause its commitment. We still invested in community-led projects, honored our partnerships, and followed through on promises made.

Nam shared that this gesture - continuing to fund projects and support communities during such uncertainty - left a profound impression. Five years later, he remains deeply grateful. For him and many others, it was more than generosity; it was trust. It was a signal that our commitment doesn’t waver when it becomes inconvenient or invisible. It was proof that Youthlinc and its supporters, especially the Michel Foundation, show up not just when it’s easy, but when it’s needed most.

That moment speaks to the Michel Foundation’s values - and to a broader truth about ethical service. We have a responsibility to uplift communities even when we aren’t physically present. When our service is rooted in relationships rather than transactions, when our giving is tied to equity rather than optics, we create real and lasting change.

Thanks to the Michel Foundation, Youthlinc has built classrooms, water systems, and medical centers in underserved areas around the world. But just as importantly, they’ve helped build a culture of integrity in service -

one where we keep showing up, no matter what.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Michel Foundation for their visionary support, their quiet generosity, and their unwavering belief in what Youthlinc stands for. Your legacy lives in every student leader, every community strengthened, and every promise kept.

Thank you for continuing to light the way forward.