San Diego Chapter, Links Incorporated Services to Youth Facet Chair Overview
An integrated approach to preparing youth for the global workforce as healthy 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 champions of change, ensuring that youth are academically successful and engaged in healthy lifestyles. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. Research shows that active, healthy children achieve greater success in school, have greater self-esteem, and become healthy adults who lead productive lives. 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
San Diego Links to STEM Education and Career Readiness Initiative The San Diego Chapter’s award winning Links to STEM Program focuses on STEM education at all grade levels so that youth may be exposed to and prepared to study for STEM related careers. Through the National STEM Initiative, local chapters work to:
Establish sustainable partnerships with select STEM focused organizations and/or corporations that have national reach, demonstrated results and progressive educational programs
Implement STEM educational programming ages 7 - 15, including toolkit applications to support The Arts (STEAM) and Health and Human Services facets programming
Facilitate mentoring opportunities with STEM professionals and academia with a goal of reducing the attrition rate of college students who pursue and graduate in STEM disciplines
Prepare and encourage students to attend community college and/or a 4-year college for STEM related educational disciplines
Enhance STEM related career opportunities for minority students through scholarships and internships
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. The Links, Incorporated aims to identify and align with select STEM related organizations to prepare youth for STEM related careers.
San Diego Links Achiever Program About the Achiever Program Each year the San Diego Chapter of the Links identifies a high school male senior that has distinguished himself in academics, sports, the arts and/or community to participate in The Achiever Program. Those selected for this program are exposed to workshops and seminars geared toward college preparedness, leadership, financial responsibility, gentlemen training and etiquette; they attend art and enrichment activities which include topics ranging from social justice to success and wealth building. In addition, Achievers gain a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie participating in this enrichment program and build lasting relationships by being paired with a Mentor. The Mentors are outstanding and prestigious members of the business and professional community and play an important role of providing guidance and support. The expectation and goal of this program is that Achievers will make a lifelong commitment to give back by serving as mentors and roles models in their respective communities. In 2016 San Diego Links Achiever Program celebrated its 30th Anniversary. The Achiever Program has made an indelible mark on the San Diego Community and we thank you for your financial support. The San Diego Chapter of the Links has donated and raised funds for the program and have awarded over $900,000 in scholarships. The San Diego Chapter of Links, Inc. is deeply committed to the continued success of the Achiever Program.