Programs
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 question is not whether we can afford to invest in every child; it is whether we can afford not to.” Marian Wright Edelman
The words of the great children’s advocate, Marian Wright Edelman, resonate with us today more than ever. The Links, Incorporated is committed to leading the way as a champion of change, ensuring that youth are academically successful and engaged in healthy lifestyles. We implement transformational programs that are responsive to the academic, health, cultural, social awareness, career development, and mentoring needs of youth.
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:
Close the achievement gap from pre-K through college, with the intent of preparing our youth for the global workforce as healthy citizens
Develop training modules for local pre-K through college mentoring programs, to ascertain a high level of support for youth in our communities
Expand and support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education
Promote and support historically black colleges and universities for ensured sustainability
Pearls of Wisdom
On September 18, 2014, we debuted and implemented our Pearls of Wisdom mentoring program with parents and students at Panorama Middle School in Harrison School District No.2. The goal of our program is to guide and empower middle school females to become productive members of society in their pursuit of educational excellence, career aspirations, family and social life balance, and personal health advocacy. We continue to work with Panorama Middle School 6-8 grade young ladies by hosting stimulating and meaningful workshops, our goal is to extend this program to additional schools in Harrison School District No. 2. Our students have participated in a variety of activities over the five (5) years of existence and we continue to mentor those that have transitioned to High School.
Our students have held tea parties at Glen Eyrie Castle, toured the Money Museum, attended the Classical Concert Series with Peggy Shivers, opened bank accounts at Harrison Credit Union, designed a beautification project at Panorama Middle School, participated in sessions to encourage and provide career options such as storytelling, hair and make-up, police academy, dentistry and the medical field. They have attended several movies with link members to build lasting friendships. Our goal is to expose these students to opportunities in the community to enhance their knowledge and skill development.
Linking Art Through Transformative Programming
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.
Throughout the nation today, Links chapters partner with museums, symphonies, arts councils, educational institutes and corporations in order to support art programs, especially where there is a focus on artists of color. Links are creating and supporting opportunities for educating minority youth in the arts and presenting and supporting performances by youth and accomplished professional artists in a diversity of disciplines.
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 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.
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. The Links have:
Adopted schools in South Africa, Liberia, Ghana and Jamaica
Built The Links Maternal Waiting Homes in Liberia
Provided MaamaKits in Liberia and Uganda in partnership with the World Health Organization
Partnered with Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures and performed several thousand dental exams over three years at three primary schools in Jamaica
Helped train 4th-6th grade students in CPR
Donated nearly 1,000 books to Links Friendship Library and for students to take home
Donated nearly 200 Amazon Kindles in Jamaica
Donated a Links Computer Lab
Donated an Ultra Sound Machine to Falmouth Public Hospital in Jamaica
Dug wells in Haiti
Assisted in building homes for Haitian refugees at the San Diego, California border
Provided hospital equipment, dental and medical care in Ghana and Haiti
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.
Black Family Wellness Expo
The Colorado Springs (CO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated held our inaugural Black Family Wellness Expo on March 4, 2023 in an effort to reduce health disparities and save lives in the Black community. This effort was aimed at addressing chronic health issues that negatively impact the health and quality of life for many in this community. The local event is a part of The Links, Incorporated’s inaugural nationwide Black Family Wellness Expos being held across the country which aims to leverage its entire membership in the effort to improve health outcomes for Black families.
"Minority Mental Health: Removing the Stigma" mental Health Resources
Click here for a list of mental health resources. Please note: The resources included here are not endorsed by the Colorado Springs (CO) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, or NAMI. We are not responsible for the content of or service provided by any of these resources.
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