links in action
Our Services to Youth include a wide array of innovative, substantive and sustainable Pre-K-16 services. This programming has exhibited proven results to key educational and/or social and community issues. The San Jose Links partner with the Santa Clara Alliance of Black Educators and The Arts programs to provide these services to the youth in our community.
Only twelve years into the evolution of our organization in 1958, under the leadership of President Pauline Maloney, the National Assembly adopted our first program facet, “Educating for Democracy,” which later became Services to Youth. The objective of this program facet was to aid minority youth in America to find and fulfill their intellectual potential. Since its inception, thousands of youth have benefited and it has continued to expand and serve youth of African descent locally and now globally.
Today, the Services to Youth facet’s mission is to foster African American student engagement through the STEM/STEAM curricula and to nurture the whole child in order to help them flourish and reach their full potential.
Some of The Ways We Meet This Mission are by:
· Preparing youth for the global workforce by closing the achievement gap from pre-K to college.
· Promoting integration of a health and wellness component for youth, families and communities.
· Eliminating negative mindsets about race and culture, while developing strong self-confidence.
· Promoting and supporting historically black colleges and universities for ensured sustainability.
· Expanding and supporting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, while promoting the integration of the arts (STEM to STEAM).
Our Mission Helps Students by Nurturing the Following:
· Students understanding of content learning and STEM/STEAM lessons, through integrated and meaningful hands-on learning experiences.
· Students demonstrating active learning, while working alongside peers (teamwork).
· Students viewing STEM/STEAM as global learning; learning that affects the whole world.
· Students demonstrating their learning through oral sharing (via demonstrations and/or presentations).
The Importance of STEM/STEAM Education and Career Readiness:
STEM/STEAM Education and Career Readiness is a National Initiative originating out of The Links, Incorporated’s dedication to ensuring quality STEM/STEAM education at all grade levels so that youth may be exposed to, and prepared to study for, STEM/STEAM related careers.
In our Student Empowerment Sessions at Del Roble Elementary School, we have had guests come in and present on topics such as DNA testing in strawberries, how cameras work, how airplanes and rockets work, why objects sink or float (density), how friction and resistance work, using sneakers. Guest speakers have also integrated presentations and activities on general topics such as nutrition, anti-bullying, KWAANZA, exercise, Electronic Arts and more.
In 2017, The San Jose Chapter of the Links, Inc. became a NSBE, Jr. (National Society of Black Engineers) chartered chapter. NSBE’s mission is more than just teaching STEM education – it incorporates leadership principles and college preparedness activities. These methods allow ample opportunities for all chapter members to be involved. NSBE’s motto is “To increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community”.
We also have a strong partnership with the AKA’s, which is nourished through the three AKA’s that are on the STY team. They support they have provided includes book and healthy lunch donations to the Del Roble Students.
