SERVICES TO YOUTH

SCCL Chairperson: Regina Thompson

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 aligned, integrated and 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.

The Services to Youth facet continues to implement three national initiatives, two signature programs and two national programs in support of our 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
Promote the integration of a health and wellness component focused on youth, families and communities in our Services to Youth programs
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 and promote the integration of the arts (STEM to STEAM)
Promote and support historically black colleges and universities for ensured sustainability

National Mentoring Initiative. We seek 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 a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring adults who offer guidance, motivation, support and encouragement aimed at developing the skill set necessary for a successful and productive lifestyle.

Mentoring is strategically integrated into all Services to Youth programs and initiatives. Chapter members mentor, recruit, register, and support mentors in their communities.

The National Mentoring Initiative also supports:

The Young Achievers (9th -12th Grade),

Project L.E.A.D (4th-8th Grade).

High Expectations and Links to Success: Children Achieving Excellence programs (K-3rd Grade)

Overall goals 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