The Links Facets
The Arts*
The Arts*
The goal of The Links’ Arts programming is to enrich the quality of life of our youth and communities through educational and engaging art experiences. 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.
An example of The Greater Wayne County Chapter’s expression and commitment to the Arts is reflected in our signature and award-winning programming, Link 2 Arts 4 Life – a transformative partnership with the Michigan Opera Theater(MOT). This groundbreaking collaboration was co-created in 2016 with the then newly appointed and innovative Michigan Opera Theater CEO, Wayne Brown, with the intention to create increased access to performing arts, particularly dance, for Detroit youth.
National Trends and Services*
National Trends and Services*
The Links, Incorporated, created the National Trends and Services facet to address the disparities and challenges of inequalities across America through advocacy, education and service resources. It urged and empowered chapters to transform their communities by raising their voices through engaging partnerships to empower and touch those with the greatest need. It serves as a catalyst for change, promoting individual and community empowerment.
The Greater Wayne County Links was compelled to earnestly address the disparity of black women in politics through education and first-hand experience. It partnered with the Girls in Politics, an initiative created by the Political Institute for Women, a national organization based in Washington, D.C. The partnership was a result of understanding the importance of empowering our young girls to step into leadership roles, influence decision-making and amplify their voice.
The initiative exposed more than 40 Detroit-area middle and high school black girls to Michigan black women judges and politicians.
International Trends and Services*
International Trends and Services*
The mission of the International Trends and Services facet is to expand the global platform for programs designed and developed to service the educational, health and cultural needs of people of African descent throughout the world. Our Safe Motherhood program focused on reducing infant mortality and morbidity in Hawassa, Ethiopia. Mamma kits went to expectant mothers; baby carriers to new mothers; solar-powered flashlights to midwives to assist in the home and night deliveries due to limited or no electricity; and a mobile bike ambulance to transport high-risk mothers from rural areas to the hospital was unparalleled. The program was so transformational that the United Nations credits the investment of non-government stakeholders such as the Greater Wayne County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated for the quantum leap in the reduction of maternal deaths.
The passion to improve health conditions grew even stronger for the chapter when it discovered the Hawassa health center water supply was contaminated, impacting its care to mothers, children and the general population. The chapter partnered with Ethiopian organizations and donated close to $75,000 to develop 11 deep water wells to provide a safe water source to improve patient care and the overall quality of life for the community.
Services to Youth*
Services to Youth*
Today, The Links, Incorporated continues to implement programs that are responsive to the academic, cultural, health, social awareness, career development, and mentoring needs of youth. The Links, Incorporated’s Services to Youth facet is an integrated approach to preparing young people to succeed in the 21st century workforce. Through an integrated approach, young people are prepared to succeed as healthy citizens in the global workforce and to promote healthy lifestyles within families and communities. Our deeply-rooted mission is to enrich and enhance the lives of our youth by helping to close the education gap, mentor and offer exposure to careers, expand their STEM knowledge and skills and support Historically Black Colleges and Universities for ensured sustainability.
An example of how the Greater Wayne County Chapter brings the Services to Youth programming area to life locally is our focus on STEM education and exposure. The Chapter spearheaded the creation of an award-winning collaboration between the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program and all five Detroit Metro Area Links chapters, called the “Developing Minds Discovering New Worlds” alliance. We exposed more than 300 Detroit-area high school students, parents, teachers and the community to hands-on STEM experiences, scholarships and professionals who served as role models, bringing the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” to life. The program also has been instrumental in increasing grade point averages for many of the students since its inception. Due to its success, this collaborative continues today with a focus on STEAMM.
Health and Human Services*
Health and Human Services*
The mission of the Health and Human Services facet 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.
The Greater Wayne County Chapter fully embraced the Health and Human Services program emphasis when established because of our deep connection to the medical community and medical professionals in our ranks. Health and healthcare had been prominent themes in our fundraising efforts in 2010, 2012 and 2014, raising $130,000 for the Karmanos B triple C3 breast and cervical cancer screening primarily for disadvantaged African American women. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) provided resources, free screening and care to help save lives of women prior to the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. The Greater Wayne County Chapter has helped more than 1000 women receive free screenings.
The chapter, taking the lead from the National Links initiative, Linkages to Life, activated a local partnership with the Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP). That program amplified education within the African American community about the precious Gifts of Life that organ and tissue transplantation can provide, especially with a disproportionate number of African Americans on the list awaiting organ transplant and a low level of uptake in the African American community to become organ donors. The Greater Wayne County Chapter continues to provide support to close this education gap.