Our Programs
The Links, Incorporated has a long tradition of promoting and engaging in educational, civic and inter-cultural activities that enrich the lives of members of the Black community at large. Our five programming facets — Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services makeup the foundation of our service. Through our facets, we implement programs and initiatives that address the most critical and unique needs of our local community.
SERVICES TO YOUTH
The Bakersfield Chapter of the Links, Inc offers a STEAM Academy to students in grades 5 through 12. The academy was created, as part of the Links, Incorporated national STEMReady signature program, to provide quality STEM education at all grade levels so that youth may be exposed to and prepared for STEM related careers. By preparing and encouraging students to attend colleges and universities with STEM related programs, we are equipping students of color with the skills to compete and excel in a global workforce that increasingly relies on individuals with STEM related proficiencies.
Through the STEAM Academy, our 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 pre-K – 16, 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 four-year college for STEM related educational disciplines
- Enhance STEM related career opportunities for minority students through scholarships and internships
- 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
THE ARTS
The GOAL of The Arts facet is to produce and support programs to enrich the quality of life of our youth and local community through educational and engaging art experiences while Transforming Communities, Fulfilling Our Purpose.
NATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES
INTERNATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES
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.