International Trends and Services
The transformational and sustainable programs of the International Trends and Services facet of The Links, Incorporated are designed to provide humanitarian outreach related to the education, health care, and basic human needs of people from developing nations who are of African descent; to advocate on behalf of people from developing nations of African descent who are oppressed or victimized; and to promote global awareness among the youth that we mentor in our communities.
All programmatic components of the facet are delivered through measurable and sustainable service delivery methods that reach women and their families.
The foremost goal of the International Trends and Services facet is to provide opportunities for tangible service in other countries. Our “boots on the ground” approach provides for more personalized methods for assisting and improving the lives of women, children and men worldwide through long-term programs committed to empowerment and public policy leadership in advocating for social justice.
Read more about The Links, Incorporated’s International Trends and Serves initiatives and signature programs.
New Orleans (LA) Chapter
International Trends and Services Programming
The New Orleans (LA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has sponsored a variety of programs meeting the goals of the International Trends and Services facet.
BAHAMAS
NASSAU, BAHAMAS
In conjunction with the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated, The New Orleans (LA) Chapter supports the Bohemian “Safehouse” in Nassau Bahamas. Nassau is home to the Southern Area’s only international chapter. The facility is solely supported by Links and referred to by The Southern Area as the “house that Links built.” The facility is a domestic housing haven for women in crises who are victims of domestic violence and young women without families to reside who are continuing their tertiary education. The New Orleans (LA) Chapter has donated “HUG” boxes, which includes journals and hygiene products. We have also made monetary donations.
LINKING WITH HAITI
SAINTE THERESE DE L’ENFANT JESUS CHURCH IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI
In March 2018, members of The New Orleans (LA) Chapter, along with a sister Chapter (The Pontchartrain (LA) Chapter) visited Haiti to make in-person donations to various community institutions. In particular, Links members visited Sainte Therese De L’Enfant Jesus Church in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where they met with priests and religious leaders, as well as men, women and children in the community. The New Orleans (LA) Chapter donated monetary funds to the Church, which Church leaders advised would assist in the Church’s roof replacement. We also assisted our sister chapter with distribution of hygiene kits donated by their chapter. We have continued to support the Church and its community with monetary donations on a yearly basis. In addition, during the 2018 visit, the New Orleans Chapter donated monetary funds to support two orphanages that provided education and support for its children.
WOMEN’S SURVIVAL KITS
The Links, Incorporated has provided outreach and support to women and children in Haiti through the distribution of Women’s Survival Kits. This initiative provides a direct and deliverable service to the Haitian community. With the supplies needed for personal hygiene and daily living lacking and difficult to secure, this initiative aims to provide basic survival kits to women and girls in Haiti so they can preserve their dignity.
Using local connections to connect with Haitian organizations, each year members of The New Orleans (LA) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated assembled and sent survival kits containing basic items, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, washcloths, deodorant and basic sanitary items that are too often taken for granted.
2016 EXPANSION INTO JAMAICA
The Links, Incorporated was excited to expand its global presence into Jamaica. The organization further broadened its International Trends and Services platform to programs designed to service the educational, health and cultural needs of people of African descent.
In January 2016, a delegation of Links members spent four days in Jamaica visiting Jamaican schools — Mt. Zion Primary School, Watford Primary School, and St. Mary’s Preparatory and Kindergarten. They also visited Cornwall Regional Hospital and explored the local region. The mission allowed The Links, Incorporated to display its signature brand of service while impacting hundreds of lives.
One Mission, One Love
One Mission, One Love, a Signature Initiative of the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated, in partnership with Region 4 of the Jamaican Ministry of Education, broke ground at Watford Hill Primary School, in Hopewell, Hanover, Jamaica to build a pre-school classroom during The Links January 2017 Global Delegation to Jamaica.
Phase II of One Mission, One Love began in May 2017 and expanded its footprints into Haiti and Africa, while continuing to support the children and families at Watford Hill Primary School in Jamaica. One Mission, One Love funded the new pre-school classroom with donations from Southern Area Chapters and members.
The Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated donated 500 patient kits and $25,000 to a Montego Bay, Jamaica hospital during its January 2017 visit. Additionally, 800 dental screenings were performed and 1000 hygiene kits donated.
The New Orleans (LA) Chapter is excited to participate in the One Mission, One Love program. Our programming for this initiative has included a number of contributions to the Jamaican community – school supplies, monetary funds for school desks, and clothing donations. During 2021, The New Orleans (LA) Chapter’s support included soccer equipment for girls and boys and safety masks.
In 2017, The New Orleans (LA) Chapter hosted Jamaica Day at Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School in New Orleans. Students learned about Jamaican culture, history, geography, and tasted local Jamaican cuisine. Linking with Jamaican students was also important. The Bethune students reached out to the Watford Hill Primary School students by writing postcards to them. Each Bethune student extended heartfelt greetings to their compatriot in Jamaica and, in their own unique way, described New Orleans and their hope to one day journey to Jamaica.
BRINGING THE WORLD TO NOLA STUDENTS
In conjunction with The New Orleans (LA) Chapter’s National Trends and Services Facet, the International Trends and Services Facet participates in the PROJECT L.E.A.D. (“Links Educate, Accommodate and Develop with High Expectations”) program, which takes place at Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School.
THE GIRLS IN POLITICS INITIATIVE
The Girls in Politics (GIP) Initiative was founded in 2011, as a private company that offered civic education classes to girls ages 6 to 17. Today, GIP hosts more than 100 classes each year in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Students learn about the work of the United States Congress, parliamentary governments and the work of the United Nations
Annually, The New Orleans (LA) Chapter supports the GIP United Nations Program by sponsoring five students to attend the UN program. We endeavor to bring the world to our students and expand our global presence in a truly transformational way.