The Hendersonville Area (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has had a powerful presence in the community for nearly 50 years with its members working vigorously to incorporate a variety of activities and projects through the five program facets of the National organization—The Arts, International Trends and Services, National Trends and Services, Services to Youth and Health and Human Services.

 

Today, the chapter continues to design programs in an attempt to close the achievement gap of African American children and improve the quality of life for all members of the Nashville area community. The chapter’s charitable and educational programs help provide relief to the poor, distressed and/or underprivileged including:

• the purchase of books and technology for K-4 program participants;

• supporting graduation activities for middle school students;

• purchasing uniforms for young school girls in Nigeria as part of international initiatives; and,

• providing needed financial assistance for students at local HBCUs.

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Chapter Signature Service Initiatives

Through the Links Enhanced Academics Program (LEAP), the chapter addresses educational disparities among urban youth in grades K-5 utilizing enhanced learning and technology resources. For a decade, the chapter has served Robert Churchwell Elementary School in Nashville, providing enrichment activities, literacy support and introductions to cultural and civic education each week with students participating in an afterschool program. In addition, the chapter has partnered with the National NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers), Jr. program which encourages student interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

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It is our intention to provide financial funding to local Historically Black Colleges and Universities in support of scholarship programs. In March 1999, the chapter established the Joan C. Elliott/Hendersonville Area (TN) Links Memorial Scholarship Fund at Tennessee State University, which is awarded to a full-time undergraduate student majoring in the Arts or Humanities field.