Signature Programs
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. All programmatic components of the facet are delivered through measurable and sustainable service delivery methods that reach women and their families.
The foremost goal of the International Trends and Services facet is to provide opportunities for tangible service in other countries. Our “boots on the ground” approach provides for more personalized methods for assisting and improving the lives of women, children and men worldwide through long-term programs committed to empowerment and public policy leadership in advocating for social justice.
Signature Programs
Education Across the Miles
Since 1996, The Links, Incorporated has built, refurbished and furnished educational materials to over 60 schools in South Africa, successfully making a direct and significant impact on the lives of thousands of African students and families. Contact with these schools continues today as The Links, Incorporated positions itself to adopt four schools in Liberia, West Africa – the Todee School, AME University, the School for the Blind, and the Ann Sandell School. Through in-kind donations, monetary support, and the lending of professional expertise in curriculum and lesson plan development, we will aid in the reestablishment of the Liberian educational system which was decimated by many years of civil war.
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Program Initiatives
The Links, Incorporated and its NGO representative to the United Nations, have worked diligently to produce a strong and cohesive plan to strengthen its work with the United Nations. The Model UN program engages grade school and college students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as other institutions of higher learning, to become informed and active citizens of this changing world.
Students are invited to special events sponsored by The Links, Incorporated and are encouraged to become involved in international affairs by working with the United Nations. This program’s goal is to provide as many international experiences for our students as possible. Through the Model UN program, students are given the opportunity to research and discuss complex global issues such as the role of women in developing countries, apartheid, child labor and human development.
The Global Trilogy of International Trends and Services, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), and the Signature Program, “Education Across the Miles” mission is to expand the global platform for programs designed and developed to service the health, education and cultural needs of people of African descent throughout the world. The Fairfield Chapter of Links has sponsored an annual International Health Care Package Drive by partnering with the Malaika Boyer Foundation.
The Malaika Boyer Foundation is a faith based organization created to rehabilitate physically challenged people in Haiti and overseas. Ms. Boyer is a young woman born in Haiti who became a bilateral amputee at the age of 16 due to medical mishaps. The Foundation’s Care Package program targets disabled people residing in northern Haiti. The Chapter coordinated the collection of clothing, personal care items, and food.
United Nations
In addition to the mission for Haiti, the Fairfield County has also participated in the annual United Nations program, which brings students and Links in for a day to learn more about working with NGOs.
Our Differences Can Make Us Stronger
In 2016, the Links teamed up with the Bridgeport public schools Gerri W Johnson school to help kids learn about “important days” by the various cultures, such as, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Yom Kippur, the Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo and many more. Educating kids about the different cultures helps children learn to respect and value the differences of all people.