National Trends and Services – The Links Exhibit
National Trends and Services
Get Out The Vote
The Minneapolis/St. Paul (MN) Chapter began participating in this national initiative in the mid-1990s with a focus on young Black and brown voters, ages 18 to 22. This program created awareness around voting issues, worked to increase voter turnout, helped expose voters to various bipartisan candidates, and assisted formerly incarcerated individuals learn about restoring their voting rights.
Links members worked together to help community members register to vote and learn about early voting options though tabling activities at Rondo Days and Juneteenth, and by mailing postcards for voter registration drives.
The initiative sought to engage new voters of color, ages 18-25 in the November 2020 election. Links members hand-addressed 1,500 postcards describing voting method options and requirements during the pandemic. Targeted neighborhood communities in Rondo, North and South Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Park, received cards created by Minuteman Press, a local, Black-owned company. Because of its success, Secretary of State Steve Simon expects to work with the chapter in upcoming elections to reach communities of color.
AGAPE
As part of the 2017 Central Area Conference of The Links, Incorporated, members donated educational materials and presented a donation to support the continued transformational impact of the Agape Child Development Center in the Minneapolis and St. Paul communities. Agape Child Development Center created Minnesota’s first 24-hour childcare facility that addresses the needs of families. “They are nurtured to move beyond crisis to restoration, and then on to empowerment,” said Glenda Masingale Manson, Central Area Director.
Other Projects
Parent Education
The Parents’ Education Awareness Exchanges began in 1982. Up to 250 parents attended a series of four dinner meetings lead by Links members. Participants increased their knowledge and awareness of programs in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Public Schools and were encouraged to advocate on behalf of their children.
Food Shelf Projects
This partnership with St. Philip’s Episcopal Church aimed to help low-income residents facing hunger in the St. Paul neighborhood near the church. Chapter members donated food items or monetary donations to help stock the food shelf. In addition to the work with the food shelf, Links members prepared and delivered Christmas and Thanksgiving baskets directly to Saint Paul Public School families in need.
Project LEAD
Project LEAD: High Expectations is a national Links, Incorporated program that began in the 1990s in response to the growing opioid epidemic. Links chapters partnered locally with community service organizations to deliver programming and lead educational forums designed to increase awareness and provide proactive steps to help decrease rates of drug and alcohol abuse.
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