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

STEMReady Signature Program

The Links STEMReady signature program was created out of The Links, Incorporated’s dedication to ensuring quality STEM education at all grade levels so that youth may be exposed to and prepared for STEM related careers. By preparing and encouraging students to attend colleges and universities with STEM related programs, The Links, Incorporated equips students of color with the skills to compete and excel in a global workforce that increasingly relies on individuals with STEM related proficiencies.

National Menoring Inititive

The Links, Incorporated seeks to intervene and serve children who are growing up without the guidance and support of a caring, responsible adult. Research shows that mentoring decreases the likelihood that young people will engage in harmful behaviors, while improving the chances that they will attend school regularly, improve academically, increase self-esteem, and engage in healthier lifestyles.

Mentoring is strategically integrated into all Services to Youth programs and initiatives. Links members mentor, recruit, register, and support mentors in their communities. The National Mentoring Initiative also supports the Young Achievers and Links to Success: Children Achieving Excellence programs.

The goals of this initiative are to:

• Establish successful mentoring relationships (one-on-one, group mentoring, etc.) with youth, pre-K – 16
• Identify and recruit more local black mentors
• Stress competence and character building as core values in a mentoring relationship
• Encourage mentoring relationships to focus on closing the academic achievement gap, workforce readiness and healthy lifestyles
• Establish partnerships with local mentoring agencies to provide mentor training

Young Achievers

9th – 12th Grade ~ “Developing the Whole Child” The Young Achievers program addresses issues and challenges facing high school aged black youth. Through a series of workshops and interactive programs, Young Achievers supports a successful completion of middle school, a seamless transition to high school, successful entry to college and into chosen careers.

• Implement mentoring programs for youth, geared to either males or females
• Close the high school academic achievement gap
• Implement science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related career awareness programs
• Introduce college readiness programs
• Promote historically black colleges and universities as viable options
• Introduce financial literacy programs
• Award college scholarships