Our Service

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.

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The Services to Youth Committee has been supporting the students at Wiley Elementary through transformational virtual programming.  When the school celebrated Read Across America in the month of March, our members participated by recording a reading of a book.  These recordings are now available for the teachers to play for the students at any time, not just for this specific event.  Wiley holds an annual Career Day, which we were again able to support virtually with our members providing recordings about their education and career paths for the students.  We also donated food and drinks for the event, enough for the students and the limited number of in-person presenters for the Career Day.

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The Services to Youth Committee has assisted Wiley Elementary in making connections with other resources, including helping families in need get clothing assistance.  As activities move toward more in person volunteering, our members have begun the process of becoming formal volunteers at Wiley with over 50% registered.  The Services to Youth Committee is looking forward to continuing to support Wiley over the summer months in a creative, engaging, and transformational way this upcoming school year.

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Adopted as the signature program of The Arts facet at the 2008 National Assembly, Classics Through the Ages focuses on increasing the interest, knowledge and participation of youth of African descent in the classical arts. This exciting initiative seeks to afford exemplary student artists opportunities to hone their talents and skills, and earn recognition and support for their educational and career pursuits.

The National Trends and Services facet is tasked with eliminating disparities by reducing barriers to resources through advocacy, education, and service. Our chapters are empowered to raise their voices and transform the communities in which they work.

The International Trends and Services facet provides services and delivers transformational programs to people of African ancestry globally so that they may have a better quality of life. Programs are designed and developed to service educational, health and cultural needs and to help people emerge from poverty. A primary objective of our international work is to enrich the lives of women and their families.

The Ladies of Grandiflora donated $2,000 to support the Mercy Medical Missions trip to the remote region of Rang, Haiti. With the funds the missions organization purchased disposables (anesthetic, gauze, needles, etc) as well as necessary instruments and medications.  With these commodities the team along with a local dentist and a local physician, provided medical and dental care to over 315 residents who otherwise would be not have access to care.

In addition, we collected and shipped books to Cuba Libro, the only English-language bookstore located in Havana Cuba.  Each book donated was either authored by an individual of African descent or focused on characters or content pertaining to individuals within the African diaspora. Cuba Libro describes  itself is an ethically and socially responsible cultural center dedicated to building, strengthening and supporting the Havana community in which it operates.  Given that over 1/4 of Havana’s population is of African descent, a provision of books highlighting and celebrating the African diaspora will benefit the community by providing representation in literature with which they can identify.

The Links, Incorporated established the Health and Human Services facet in response to the chronic health disparities that persist in black communities and result in the decreased life expectancy of African Americans and other people of African ancestry. The goal of HHS is to promote and facilitate programs that support the maintenance of good health and the elimination of chronic health disparities in communities of color through education, health advocacy, and optimal utilization of health resources. Community education about health risks is crucial and The Links, Incorporated plays a significant role in providing it. 

Health and Human Services Committee collaborated with the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Program. During Non-COVID times the program Educates and Screens children and Link sisters who are dentists would do the screenings.

Due to the pandemic, we were not able to visit schools.  However, Colgate offered a zoom program called Adventures of the Molar System that we were able to do remotely. 

At the end of zoom, Grandiflora Dental Professionals had a “meet the dentist” question and answer session. Students were able to come forward and ask their question and interact directly with our Dental Grandiflora Links.