The National Trends & Services Facet is dedicated to providing exposure and solutions to problems affecting African-American communities in the United States. The facet addresses issues related to health, economic independence, financial achievement and assistance, educational empowerment and our overall lifestyles. The West Palm Beach Chapter’s 2009-2011 programming includes:
STAMPING OUT CHILDHOOD OBESITY INITIATIVE
Through a partnership with the Children’s Home Society’s Beacon Program at Northmore Elementary School, the West Palm Beach Chapter is tackling childhood obesity. Each month, members of The Links meet with elementary and middle school-aged students programs and activities designed to tackle childhood obesity. The students are educated on childhood obesity, proper nutrition and exercise, and methods of reducing juvenile diabetes and heart disease. This is the West Palm Beach Chapter’s umbrella program, which includes collaborative efforts will all facets. Read Article here. |
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LINKAGES TO LIFE: ORGAN, TISSUE AND BONE MARROW AWARENESS
“SUNDAY AT CHURCH”
The Linkages to Life: Organ, Bone Marrow and Tissue Donation Awareness Program; through its “Sunday at Church” efforts, is a program sponsored by The Links, Incorporated to help the African-American community learn about the importance of, and dire need for, organ, tissue and bone marrow donation. The program aims to decrease the number of African-Americans on the transplant waiting list by increasing the number of African-American donors. The “Sunday at Church” program increases awareness by targeting predominantly African-American churches. Members of The Links, Incorporated coordinate with church officials to ensure that the program is scheduled for the Sunday church service. Members are afforded 15-20 minutes during the church program to discuss the need for organ, bone marrow and tissue donation. The program includes a brief introduction by the Pastor, a discussion of need by a local health official, a personal story from a local organ donor or recipient, and a discussion about available resources from a Links member. The program also includes the distribution of “Can We Talk?” brochures designed by the Links, Incorporated, to assist in starting the organ donation conversation. At the end of the church service Links members are available to sign up new donors.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Through the Links, Incorporated’s National Partnership with the Susan B. Komen Foundation, we promote and support the Circle of Promise with a potential partnership with The Susan B. Komen Foundation. All West Palm Beach Links participate in this effort to raise awareness and beat breast cancer. |
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HEART DISEASE AWARENESS
The Links have engaged an effort to increase heart disease awareness through a partnership with the local American Heart Association. The first event was the START! HEART Walk on Saturday, September 26, 2009. The West Palm Beach Links participated in both the 5K run and the walk for this event. |
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ELECTION PROTECTION
During the 2010 election cycle, as with the 2008 election cycle, Links will promote voter registration drives and participate in election protection activities to prevent the disenfranchisement of voters.
Past programming for this Facet has included the following:
- Annual Walk-A-Thon: Project Walking Fete’ (proceeds donated to local charities and the Links Foundation)
- Northmore Elementary School Cell Phone Donation program: A partnership providing cell phones to local shelter and transitional facilities for emergency phone calls
- “Empowering Women Under an Umbrella of Education”: presented by Dr. Debra Robinson of the Palm Beach County School Board
- The Doris Miller Project: securing signatures on a petition seeking to award a Congressional Medal of Honor to this World War II Veteran and Hero during the attack on Pearl Harbor
- Suit Drive to benefit women re-entering the workplace, in partnership with the Palm Beach County Medical Alliance
- TAB Learning Center : An after-school learning program for 25 minority students in grades K-6, to promote reading
- Donations of toiletries and personal items to St. Ann’s Shelter
- Annual financial assistance to the American Cancer Society
- Annual financial assistance to the Sickle Cell Foundation
- Annual financial assistance to the Urban League of Palm Beach County
- Financial assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina
