Services to Youth

Services to Youth is focusing on providing a range of innovative, substantive and sustainable Pre-K-16 programming which contribute proven results to key educational or social/community issues. Our Mission is “Links seizing the opportunity to help our youth achieve.” These opportunities may vary from Chapter to Chapter, but all programs will be able to show a positive impact on the children we serve. We are excited to announce that Services to Youth and Education Linkage have joined forces in order to create and sustain synergy of youth-related programming. The areas of concentration are:

• Area I: Pre-K-3
      - Primary Focus: Literacy
      - Spotlight Program: Links to Success: Children Achieving Excellence
• Area II: Grades 4-8
      - Primary Focus: Health & Wellness Education, After-School Programming, Drug Awareness
      - Spotlight Program: Project LEAD: High Expectations
  
• Area III: Grades 9-12
      - Primary Focus: College Readiness, HIV/AIDS Awareness, Etiquette, Mentoring
      - Spotlight Program: Achievers Program
  
• Area IV: Grades 12-16
      - Primary Focus: Scholarships, HBCUs
      - Spotlight Program: TBD
  

The Links, Incorporated maintains a strong leadership role in addressing the critical issues of public education with respect to the digital divide, reduced enrollment of African American males in post secondary education, and leveraging the No Child Left Behind legislation to improve student performance. We are committed to partnering with community education projects that include health education, mentoring, reading, tutoring, after-school programming, providing computer hardware and software, computer assisted instruction, SAT preparation, test-taking skill development and career awareness workshops to ensure the futures of students within our communities.

Some Program Highlights:

• Established Endowment Trust at Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Presented six $10,000 scholarships to Bennett College, Bethune-Cookman College, Edward Waters College, Florida A & M University, Florida Memorial University and Spelman College. The Southern Area recently raised $300,000 to support an endowment.
  
• Financial Literacy. The What’s Up With Money Program sponsored by the Greater New York (NY) Chapter targeted children and youth (10-18) in a family oriented event. In collaboration with other community organizations, schools and financial institutions, the conference was held at Fordham University. What’s Up With Money sessions were presented to children, youth and adults in separate groups by specially selected presenters. Six topics, intended to explore basic principles in financial matters, included stock analysis, entrepreneurship and fundraising. The program will be repeated next year with a $25,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase.
  
• PETALS (Parents Enriching, Teaching, Achieving Life-long Learning Success). Piedmont (NC) Chapter Links partnered with the local school system to sponsor the state recommended parent-training program PETALS which is a year-long parent training program. The program fostered the increased academic success necessary to close achievement gaps between parents and students in the schools. Chapter members facilitated and/or served as trainers for the informational seminars and interactive workshops which helped parents understand current educational trends and policies.
  
• Project Lead: High Expectations is a program designed to increase levels of awareness regarding drug and alcohol abuse as well as promote self-concept development. Chapters partnered with other community groups to disseminate these programs. Program was funded by a grant received from the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Workshops were conducted to train youth on drug and alcohol abuse prevention.