​

An integrated approach to preparing youth for the 21st century workforce ​

​

“The world around us really belongs to youth, for youth will take over its future management. Our children must never lose their zeal for building a better world. They must not be discouraged from aspiring toward greatness, for they are to be the leaders of tomorrow.”​

​​

Mary McLeod Bethune’s “My Last Will and Testament” still serves today as a clarion call to train youth to become informed, full participants in the social and economic forces that will shape the future. The Links, Incorporated created its first program facet, Services to Youth, to equip African-American children to use their intellect and spirit of achievement to indeed walk with their fellows in leading the way.

​

Today, The Links, Incorporated continues to implement programs that are responsive to the academic, cultural, health, social awareness, career development, and mentoring needs of youth.   The  Services to Youth facet is an integrated approach to preparing young people to succeed in the 21st century workforce. ​

​

The primary goals of this facet are to:

​

• Promote early literacy

• Implement local mentoring programs from kindergarten through college

• Close the academic achievement gaps from kindergarten through college

• Introduce and support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) education and career readiness

• Implement college readiness programs

• Increase high school and college graduation rates

• Award college scholarships and build educational endowments

• Promote and support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)