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Our Programs
The Raritan Valley (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has a long tradition of promoting and engaging in educational, civic and inter-cultural activities that enrich the lives of members of the Black community at large. The cornerstone of our service is our five programming facets — Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. Through our facets, we implement programs and initiatives that address the most critical needs of underserved communities. Annually, we impact the lives of more than 12,000 people in the communities we serve.
The Services to Youth program facet is designed to empower Black youth to use their intellect and spirit of achievement to become successful and productive citizens. Through this facet, transformational programs are implemented to respond to the academic, cultural, career development, and mentoring needs of youth.
Recent Programs:
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Providing Health Links programming to over 80 middle schools students in partnership with Rutgers University-New Brunwsick and Piscataway Public Schools.
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Links Youth THRIVE: Tomorrow's Heroes Rising through Inspiration, Vision & Empowerment umbrella program brought together nearly 100 high school students to the inaugural Youth Leadership Summit.
Services To Youth
The Arts
The Arts facet is dedicated to increasing and expanding art activity throughout Black communities. The Links, Incorporated creates and supports arts related educational opportunities for minority youth as well as presents and supports performances by youth and accomplished professional artists in an array of disciplines.
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Young Masters 2.0 Program
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Eastern Area Poster Contest
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Holiday Celebration of the Arts
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Virtual Theatre Presentation of “Having Our Say” Delaney Sisters, First 100 Years
National Trends & Services
The National Trends and Services facet addresses the social inequities that persist in Black communities throughout the United States. The work of the facet includes raising awareness on economic, health, social justice, and other barriers that affect the quality of life for African Americans and people of African ancestry. The goal is to eliminate disparities in these areas for the betterment of Black communities.
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Back to School Backpack Drives
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Link Up The Vote
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Christmas Holiday Toy Drives
International Trends & Services
The International Trends and Services facet provides services and delivers transformational programs to people of African ancestry globally so that they may have a better quality of life. Programs are developed to service educational, health, and cultural needs of the global African diaspora.
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International Cultural Exchange Program between the Franklin Youth Center in Somerset, New Jersey and the Mount Zion School, Montego Bay, Jamaica
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Fundraiser to restore classrooms at Mt. Zion School after Hurricane Melissa (2025) destroyed the infrastructure.
Health and Human Services
The mission of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Facet is to promote and facilitate programs that support the maintenance of good health and the elimination of chronic health disparities in communities of color through education, health advocacy, and optimal utilization of health resources. By working to improve services for African American women with breast cancer, promoting awareness of childhood obesity and promoting organ/tissue donation within the African American community, its mission is to decrease health disparities within New Jersey.
Recent Programs
- For the last three years, the chapter has hosted the Black Family Wellness Expo, and most recently we've partnered with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Central Jersey Chapter.
- The Walk for Healthy Living and Link Up the Vote is an event that blends awareness about practicing healthy habits, like walking, as a way to increase health outcomes and awareness about the power of voting to impact our communities. This is event is jointly hosted by the Health and Human Services and National Trends and Services Facets.