Harbor City (MD) Links, Incorporated Programs
The Links, Incorporated is an organization of accomplished, dedicated women who are active in their community. Members of The Links, Incorporated are newsmakers, role models, mentors, activists, and volunteers who work toward the realization of making the name “Links” not only a chain of friendship but also a chain of purposeful service. The outstanding programming of The Links, Incorporated has five facets which include:
Services To Youth
To equip black youth to use their intellect and spirit of achievement to become successful and productive citizens.
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.
In support of The Links’ mission to enrich and enhance the lives of black youth, the primary goals of this facet are to:
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Close the achievement gap from pre-K through college, with the intent of preparing our youth for the global workforce as healthy citizens.
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Develop training modules for local pre-K through college mentoring programs, to ascertain a high level of support for youth in our communities.
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Expand and support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Harbor City Links Scholars Program
An umbrella program providing scholarships ($1000 to each of the students each year in the 2-year program) mentoring (by HCL members) and enrichment activities (promoting community/civic engagement, career readiness, health and wellness, and cultural and international enrichment).
Through this program, HCL intends to move the needle in assisting select students in graduating from an HBCU and successfully matriculating as contributing members of the Baltimore community.
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Established in 2018, the HCLSP provides Coppin State University Juniors with opportunities for mentoring, and academic, personal, and professional enrichment from college to career. Since then, we’ve accepted and nurtured 38 scholars (3 cohorts) and awarded over $85,000 in scholarships and programming. Each scholar is awarded $2000 over the 2-year cohort period.
Funds raised for the HCLSP allow us to provide scholarships, activities, and supplemental resources focused on career readiness, community engagement, health and wellness, human and cultural awareness, and international affairs.
Through this program, we work to move the needle in assisting students in graduating and successfully matriculating as contributing members of the Baltimore community and beyond.
Each chapter of The Links, Incorporated is dedicated to developing programs and being involved in initiatives that support the community in which members work, serve, and live. The objectives of our programming and service as stated by The Links, Incorporated are:
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To foster economic development
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To educate the public about issues central to the well-being of African Americans.
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To advocate appropriate public responses to the needs of African Americans.
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To empower the membership in leadership development by offering training programs for greater effectiveness.
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To provide a positive approach to address critical youth issues.
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To foster artistic endeavors.
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To promote the well-being of the African American family.
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To collaborate with organizations with similar goals and objectives.
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To increase awareness of international issues, particularly those affecting people of African descent.
Previous Programs and Initiatives
Dreamers and Achievers
An umbrella program designed to increase student exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) at Dunbar High School and Vivien T. Thomas High School. Grounded in the continued belief that our future rests with our youth and recognizing that the career climate is focused in STEM, HCL has sponsored this program to ensure inner-city students are exposed to the field of STEM and its many career opportunities.
Dreamers and Achievers received accolades and awards at the 2014 and 2016 National Links conventions.
Praise Project
Project Praise (Providing resources aimed at Independence and Self-Empowerment) with a focus on the well-being of women and children at the Springhill Transitional Housing Program in Baltimore City.
Project Awareness
Linked the Chapter with other Link chapters and the YWCA to implement a cancer awareness and screening program for low-income women.
Project HOPE
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Helping our People Embark
Provided cultural and educational activities for residents of the Transitional Housing Programs.
LINKS Join RAISE
A collaborative effort between Project Raise, sponsored by T. Rowe Price and Morgan State University to enhance career awareness of 130 middle school students in the Baltimore City Public Schools.
Around The World At Florence Crittenden Services
Around the World at Florence Crittenden Services was an educational outreach program that provided residents of the Florence Crittenden home an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the cultures of other countries.
Project DREAM
Developing Responsible Effective Adolescent Mothers
A community service effort designed to motivate teenage mothers through the enhancement of their pride, self-esteem, and self-worth.
YPEP
(Youth, Protection, Empowerment & Preservation)
A holistic, revitalizing program for Baltimore City Youth, parents and leaders addressed present and future issues of teenagers. In 1996, The Harbor City Chapter spearheaded a citywide youth summit on violence to revitalize and advocate for Baltimore City youth. Parents and community leaders came together to constructively address present and future issues of young people. The summit became the platform for a youth movement, "Safe and Sound," Youth Council and Program organized by Associated Black Charities and the Baltimore Community Foundation.
YPEP today continues to raise the awareness for children's needs for safety and support services.
Compu-Kids
Compu-Kids is an umbrella program designed to increase math and language arts skills through computer-based learning for elementary school students.
Grounded in the belief that our future rests with our youth, the Harbor City Chapter decided eight years ago to work with inner-city students at William Pinderhughes Elementary School to help make a difference in their academic performance and future success.