Services to Youth
The primary goals of this facet are to:
* Promote early literacy
* Implement local mentoring programs from kindergarten through college
* Close the academic achievement gaps from kindergarten through college
* Introduce and support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) education and career readiness
Implement college readiness programs
* Increase high school and college graduation rates
* Award college scholarships and build educational endowments
* Promote and support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
The Services to Youth facet is currently presenting five national initiatives and two signature programs in support of our mission to enrich the lives of, and advocate for the betterment of, African-American youth.
Greater Pearland Area (TX) Chapter
Community Engagement: The FACETS
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SERVICES TO YOUTH
The Links, Incorporated created its first program facet, Services to Youth, to equip black youth to use their intellect and spirit of achievement to become successful and productive citizens.
The Services to Youth facet uses an integrated approach to prepare young people to succeed as healthy citizens in the global workforce and to promote healthy lifestyles within families and communities. In support of The Links’ mission to enrich and enhance the lives of black youth, the primary goals of this facet are to:
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Close the achievement gap from pre-K through college, with the intent of preparing our youth for the global workforce as healthy citizens
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Develop training modules for local pre-K through college mentoring programs, to ascertain a high level of support for youth in our communities
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Expand and support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education
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Promote and support historically black colleges and universities for ensured sustainability
Chair: Link Portia Hopkins
The Links support of the arts can be traced to our cultured co-founder Margaret Rosell Hawkins. Her innate artistic talent, discovered at a young age, earned her a four-year scholarship to the Women’s School of Design, later known as the Moore Institute of Art. Her passion for creative expression later led to her appointment as an art teacher, and helped give root to the establishment of The Arts facet in 1964 at the 14th National Assembly.
The goal of The Arts Facet is to produce and support programs to enrich the quality of life of our youth and communities through educational and engaging art experiences while Transforming Communities, Fulfilling Our Purpose. Our programming includes arts integration within our chapters and partnerships with like-minded organizations, sowing the seed of creativity deeper in our community. The following are the programmatic interests for The Arts.
THE ARTS
Chair: Link Kathy Taylor-Outley
NATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES
The National Trends and Services facet is tasked with eliminating disparities by reducing barriers to resources through advocacy, education, and service. Our chapters are empowered to raise their voices and transform the communities in which they work. The facet’s goals include increasing the number of sustainable and measurable programs; increasing collaborative partnerships; and extending our existing initiatives to include communities identified as having the greatest need. Currently, National Trends and Services encompasses the following programs and committees with national partners and sponsors, and serves as a catalyst for change, promoting individual and community empowerment.
Chair: Link Shervada Hall Martinez
INTERNATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES
The International Trends and Services facet provides services and delivers transformational programs to people of African ancestry globally so that they may have a better quality of life. Programs are designed and developed to service educational, health and cultural needs and to help people emerge from poverty. A primary objective of our international work is to enrich the lives of women and their families.
Our “boots on the ground” approach provides for more personalized methods for assisting and improving the lives of women, children and men worldwide through long-term programs committed to empowerment and public policy leadership in advocating for social justice.
Since the International Trends and Services Facet was formed in 1970, The Links, Incorporated has demonstrated its commitment to enriching and sustaining the cultural and economic survival of people of African ancestry, through friendship and service. For example, The Links have:
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Adopted schools in South Africa, Liberia, Ghana and Jamaica
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Built The Links Maternal Waiting Homes in Liberia
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Provided MaamaKits in Liberia and Uganda in partnership with the World Health Organization
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Partnered with Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures and performed several thousand dental exams over three years at three primary schools in Jamaica
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Donated nearly 1,000 books to Links Friendship Library and for students to take home
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and more
Chair: Link Carmilla Nandlal
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
The Links, Incorporated established the Health and Human Services facet in response to the chronic health disparities that persist in black communities and result in the decreased life expectancy of African Americans and other people of African ancestry. The goal of HHS is to promote and facilitate programs that support the maintenance of good health and the elimination of chronic health disparities in communities of color through education, health advocacy, and optimal utilization of health resources. Community education about health risks is crucial and The Links, Incorporated plays a significant role in providing it.
Chair: Link Kadria Sainteus
