The National Trends and Services facet focus on helping to eliminate disparities by reducing barriers to resources through advocacy, education, and service. Currently, National Trends and Services encompass the following programs and serve as a catalyst for change, promoting individual and community empowerment.
Link Up the Vote
The Links, Incorporated has and continues to be strong advocates for ensuring that all people, particularly Black and brown communities, are able to exercise their right to vote. Through our members, we expanded get-out-the-vote efforts to increase voter registration, engagement and turnout helping eligible voters register to vote. We will also use this effort to help guard against voter suppression so that every single vote is counted.
Combating Hunger during COVID-19
The targeted area of service is Houston’s Third Ward community, specifically the public housing development, Cuney Homes, the largest development owned by the Houston Housing Authority. The 500 unit development provides housing for approximately 1500 economically disadvantaged people. Residents make up more than 70% African Americans and 30% Hispanic, Asian and other ethnicities. Twenty nine percent of the residents live below the poverty level.
The Third Ward area is a food desert. There are many corner stores in the neighborhood where the prices are higher, and the quantity of produce and products is limited. Two buses are needed to access the closest two grocery stores.
In partnership with the Houston Housing Authority, members of the Missouri City (TX) Chapter personally delivered Thanksgiving baskets of food to 119 senior residents of Cuney Homes, providing resources and services to 500+ households, setting up a drive thru food distribution event where families received canned goods, fresh vegetables & fruit, canned juices, cereal, and packaged meats. The distribution was coordinated and facilitated with little to no contact with the residents.