Programs
OUR PROGRAMS

THE ARTS
Fostering Creative Minds

The ARTS facet works in North Charleston’s Liberty Hill community to increase and expand art activity for African American youth and to increase the number of successful applications by black and brown students to the Charleston County School of the Arts (SOA). Through a dual mentoring program, Classics Through the Ages, an exemplary student artist under the guidance of a professional artist is provided opportunities to hone their talent and skills in master classes and workshops. That student plays it forward by mentoring their peers at the Felix Pinckney Community Center. The children at the Center in grades 3-8 who enroll in the “Stylez” program, designed and implemented by several students from SOA, are given exposure and basic knowledge of selected art forms - fashion design, vocal expression, theatre and visual arts. In addition, on a monthly basis, we introduce the students to a local artist representing a range of artistic genre, engaging them in interactive activities. Ultimately, the ARTS facet’s programs will not only increase the interest, knowledge and participation of African American youth in the classical arts, it will also help to increase their numbers in the county’s School of the Arts. 

SERVICES TO YOUTH
Supporting Their Future

The Services to Youth (STY) Facet has plans for the following National Links initiatives during the 2019-20 program year: 

National STEM Initiative
  • Maintain NSBE, Jr. Program at Burke High School
  • Establish a City-Wide NSBE, Jr. Program
National Mentoring Initiative
  • Collaborate and assist Burke High School’s NSBE, Jr. advisor with development of curriculum to execute during Program Year
  • Partner with local industries/professionals/Pan-Hellenic organizations to achieve the facet goals
National HBCU Initiative
  • Promote and support HBCUs for ensured sustainability by collaborating and assisting the Chapter’s HBCU committee.

NATIONAL TRENDS & SERVICES
From Local To National

The Future Leaders Roundtable is composed of a group of diverse, concerned and engaged students, grades 8-12, who are committed to impacting policies and creating change in areas that impact our local, national and global communities. The group’s focus is student led advocacy on issues of social justice and equal opportunity. 
VIEW FLYER FOR MORE INFO

INTERNATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES
Going Beyond Our Borders

The International Trends and Services (ITS) facet works with Kanape Haiti, also known as StandForHaiti.org, a non-profit 501(c)(3) designed to surround the Haitian people with a community of support and resources to educate, empower and strengthen their infrastructure. The Fill A Bucket Project, “A Bucket Filled with Hope”, is a service project to ensure that communities in Haiti have household supplies for daily living. These buckets support women, girls and families at large. ITS works with the other facets to shed light upon the urgency of Haiti’s plight to our local community. This is established through collaboration with other organizations. 

In past years, ITS has provided medical supplies to stock a pharmacy and also provided support for a sewing center in the village of Okurase, Ghana. 
Breast Cancer Awareness Recognition
Survivor Brenda Lauderback with Facet Co-Chair Garcia Williams

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Support For A Healthy Life

Throughout the year, the HHS Facet has challenged each member to walk at least 10,000 steps a day. Members completing the challenge will be recognized at year’s end. Educational partnerships were arranged with community organizations highlighting the many health and social issues that affect our community, such as HIV and PreP, Hepatitis C, and human trafficking. 

September - Medicare Forum with SC Thrive, Fetter Healthcare Network, AARP, Resource Partners/The Medi

October - Breast Cancer Awareness Recognition

November - Linkages to Life Donor Sunday with Sharing Hope SC at Ebenezer AME Church

December - World AIDS Day with Ryan White Center

March - Dental Health Awareness with the Colgate Dental Van

KEY INITIATIVES

 NATIONAL INITIATIVE
HBCU

...is a LINKS national initiative with these goals:
  • To implement and support efforts that align with former President Obama’s plan to increase the retention and graduation rates of students attending college by the year 2020.
  • To promote and encourage LINKS to 
    • connect with an HBCU,
    • mentor and recruit students,
    • identify opportunities for faculty research and/or professional development, and 
    • contribute to the sustainability of HBCU institutions.

TEACHERS' SUPPLY CLOSET

Provides free school supplies for students and teachers at targeted Title 1 elementary schools.
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