In 1958, 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. Today, The Links, Incorporated continues to implement programs that are responsive to the academic, health, cultural, social awareness, career development, and mentoring needs of youth.
Student Experiences and Community Engagement Activities
- Partnered with UrbanPromise (UP) for their orientation program at the beginning of the school year to prepare parents and students for the year ahead.
- Heir-o-Link college students conducted a Q&A session highlighting college life and HBCU’s.
- The Executive Director of the Amistad Commission presented information designed to fill the gaps in the student’s knowledge of Black History.
- Annually facilitate student participation and attendance at the Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair. In November 2019 a UP student applied and received on the spot admission to three HBCU’s.
- At least 5 college scholarships are awarded annually to students of color.
- A career fair will be held at Penn Medicine exposing the student to a variety of careers.
National Trends and Services
The vision of the National Trends and Services facet, established in 1964, is to eliminate disparities by reducing barriers to services through advocacy, education, and service. Our mission is to empower our chapters to effectively empower the communities in which we work.
Student Experiences and Community Engagement Activities
- The EEO officer from Superior Court delivered information from the curriculum “Hey I’m 18” which addresses the effects of good decision making and its impact once reaching age 18.
- The Mercer County Prosecutors office provided a presentation on gun violence, bullying, response to the police and voter registration.
- Students are scheduled to visit CNN studios in NYC to have an in- depth discussion with an on- air personality about the electoral process and current presidential campaign.
- Black History Month presentation will showcase student’s examination of African American presidential candidates throughout the years.
Mentoring Initiative
- Sponsored students to attend relevant cultural and educational film premieres and theatre performances.
- Tutored students in core curriculum subject areas.
We are constantly seeking opportunities to expand our mentoring initiative and partnering with other local youth organizations in the central New Jersey area. If your school or non-profit youth organization is interested in working with us to develop a mentoring program, please contact us at CNJ Services to Youth Facet.
STEM Education and Career Readiness Initiative
Consistent with the National STEM Education and Career Readiness Initiative, the Central New Jersey (NJ) Chapter is committed to working with area students of color to expose them to and prepared them to study STEM related careers. We are proud to have partnered with the Young Scholars Institute of Trenton (www.youngscholarsoftrenton.org) to sponsor a career speaker series for area middle and high school students that focused on personal development, academic readiness, and STEM-related educational and career opportunities. Read more on one of the programs in that series: http://www.nj.com/mercer-community/index.ssf/2015/07/young_scholars_institutes_care.html.
HBCU Initiative
The long-term goal of our HBCU Initiative is to implement and support efforts to increase the retention and graduation rates of students attending college by the year 2020, with particular emphasis on students attending historically Black colleges and universities. Since launching our HBCU initiative in 2014, the Central New Jersey (NJ) chapter has:
- Contributed $1,000 to the United Negro College Fund
- Awarded a $1,500 scholarship to a local student to attend an HBCU
- Donated $ 500 to Bennett College in North Carolina
- Volunteered and hosted a career workshop at the Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair
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