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Harbor City (MD) Chapter Of The Links, Incorporated
Linked in Friendship, Connected in Service
"Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time".
-Marian Wright Edelman
Harbor City (MD) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated (HCL) was established in 1985 as the 205th chapter of The Links, Incorporated - one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer organizations of women committed to enriching the lives of African Americans and other people of African ancestry.
The chapter’s membership includes 58 women who are recognized as some of Baltimore’s most influential business and civic leaders, activists, role models, and volunteers. For the last 38 years, HCL has been a consistent and reliable volunteer force providing more than 3,500 service hours per year to advance local, national, and international causes that enrich the lives of African Americans in Baltimore and in communities around the country and the world.
Over the years, the chapter’s signature programming has coalesced around the education, social, and career development of young people in Baltimore City. The chapter’s work with young people has been broad and impactful- from supporting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and the social development of middle school students who live and attend school in some of the city’s most challenged neighborhoods to its current signature program, the Harbor City Links Scholars Program, a program offering scholarships and resources to support the career development of deserving students at Coppin State University (one of the two HBCUs in Baltimore).
In addition to delivering robust core programming and service to Baltimore, HCL is an active participant in collective community outreach, joining partners in clothing and food drives and civic engagement activities to help the city’s most vulnerable citizens find stability for themselves and their families.
The chapter’s integrated and innovative programming is recognized by The Links, Incorporated and community partners for its impact in helping young people in Baltimore build the confidence, networks, and life skills they need to thrive and impact change in their communities.
Our Values & Objectives
The Harbor City Links is committed to upholding the key values, beliefs,
and attitudes that undergird the national organization. These values include:
- Friendship
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Service
- Commitment
- Family Relationships
- Courage
- Respect for self and others
Chapter Leaders
Chapter Officers 2021-2023
PRESIDENT- Link Savonne Ferguson
VP OF MEMBERSHIP - Link Audrey Quarles
VP OF PROGRAMS - Link Christel Curtis
TREASURER - Link Kelly Mason
FINANCIAL SECRETARY - Link Monifa Coaxum
RECORDING SECRETARY - Link Chezia Cager
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY - Link Heather Williams
PARLIAMENTARIAN - Link Alicia Wilson
CHAPLAIN - Link Tenyo Pearl
Programs of The Harbor City (MD) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
The Links, Incorporated is an organization of accomplished, dedicated women who are active in their community. Members of The Links, Incorporated are newsmakers, role models, mentors, activists, and volunteers who work toward the realization of making the name “Links” not only a chain of friendship but also a chain of purposeful service. The outstanding programming of The Links, Incorporated has five facets which include:
Services to Youth
The Links, Incorporated created its first program facet, Services to Youth, to equip black youth to use their intellect and spirit of achievement to become successful and productive citizens.
The Services to Youth facet uses an integrated approach to prepare young people to succeed as healthy citizens in the global workforce and to promote healthy lifestyles within families and communities.
In support of The Links’ mission to enrich and enhance the lives of black youth, the primary goals of this facet are to:
- Close the achievement gap from pre-K through college, with the intent of preparing our youth for the global workforce as healthy citizens.
- Develop training modules for local pre-K through college mentoring programs, to ascertain a high level of support for youth in our communities.
- Expand and support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
The National Trends and Services facet is tasked with eliminating disparities by reducing barriers to resources through advocacy, education, and service.
The facet’s goals include increasing the number of sustainable and measurable programs; increasing collaborative partnerships; and extending our existing initiatives to include communities identified as having the greatest need.
The Arts
The goal of the Arts Facet is to produce and support programs to enrich the quality of life of our youth and communities through educational and engaging art experiences while transforming communities and fulfilling our purpose.
Our programming includes arts integration within our chapters and partnerships with like-minded organizations, sowing the seed of creativity deeper in our community.
We provide further support by funding workshops, donating supplies, and more.
The Links, Incorporated established the Health and Human Services facet in response to the chronic health disparities that persist in black communities and result in the decreased life expectancy of African Americans and other people of African ancestry.
The goal of HHS 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.
Community education about health risks is crucial and The Links, Incorporated plays a significant role in providing it.
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 designed and developed to service educational, health, and cultural needs and to help people emerge from poverty.
A primary objective of our international work is to enrich the lives of women and their families.
Since the International Trends and Services Facet was formed in 1970, The Links, Incorporated has demonstrated its commitment to enriching and sustaining the cultural and economic survival of people of African ancestry, through friendship and service.
Programs and Initiatives
Each chapter of The Links, Incorporated is dedicated to developing programs and being involved in initiatives that support the community in which members work, serve, and live. The objectives of our programming and service as stated by The Links, Incorporated are:
- To foster economic development
- To educate the public about issues central to the well-being of African Americans.
- To advocate appropriate public responses to the needs of African Americans.
- To empower the membership in leadership development by offering training programs for greater effectiveness.
- To provide a positive approach to address critical youth issues.
- To foster artistic endeavors.
- To promote the well-being of the African American family.
- To collaborate with organizations with similar goals and objectives.
- To increase awareness of international issues, particularly those affecting people of African descent.
Dreamers and Achievers
An umbrella program designed to increase student exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) at Dunbar High School and Vivien T. Thomas High School. Grounded in the continued belief that our future rests with our youth and recognizing that the career climate is focused in STEM, HCL has sponsored this program to ensure inner city students are exposed to the field of STEM and its many career opportunities.
Dreamers and Achievers received accolades and awards at the 2014 and 2016 National Links conventions.
Project Praise
Project Praise (Providing Resource Aimed at Independence and Self-Empowerment) with a focus on the well-being of women and children at the Springhill Transitional Housing Program in Baltimore City.
Project Awareness
Linked the Chapter with other Link chapters and the YWCA to implement a cancer awareness and screening program for low income women.
Many of the Harbor City Chapter's programs have been recognized by The Links, Incorporated as exemplary. Here is a sampling of programs developed and delivered by the chapter.
Harbor City Links Scholars Program: an umbrella program providing scholarship ($1000 to each of the students' each year in the 2 year program) mentoring (by HCL members) and enrichment activities (promoting community/civic engagement, career readiness, health and wellness, and cultural and international enrichment).
Through this program, HCL intends to move the needle in assisting select students in graduating from an HBCU and successfully matriculating as contributing members of the Baltimore community.
Project Hope (Helping our People Embark)
Provided cultural and educational activities for residents of the Transitional Housing Programs.
Links Join RAISE
A collaborative effort between the Project Raise, sponsored by T. Rowe Price and Morgan State University to enhance career awareness of 130 middle school students in the Baltimore City Public Schools.
Around the World at Florence Crittenden Services
Around the World at Florence Crittenden Services was an educational outreach program that provided residents of the Florence Crittenden home an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the cultures of other countries.
Project Dream (Developing Responsible Effective Adolescent Mothers)
A community service effort designed to motivate teenage mothers through the enhancement of their pride, self-esteem, and self-worth.
YPEP (Youth, Protection, Empowerment & Preservation)
A holistic, revitalizing program for Baltimore City Youth, parents and leaders addressed present and future issues of teenagers. In 1996, The Harbor City Chapter spearheaded a citywide youth summit on violence to revitalize and advocate for Baltimore City youth. Parents and community leaders came together to constructively address present and future issues of young people. The summit became the platform for a youth movement, "Safe and Sound," Youth Council and Program organized by Associated Black Charities and the Baltimore Community Foundation.
YPEP today continues to raise the awareness for children's needs for safety and support services.
Compu-Kids
Compu-Kids is an umbrella program designed to increase math and language arts skills through computer-based learning for elementary school students.
Grounded in the belief that our future rests with our youth, the Harbor City Chapter decided eight years ago to work with inner-city students at William Pinderhughes Elementary School to help make a difference in their academic performance and future success.
Harbor City Links Scholars Program
Established in 2018, the HCLSP provides Coppin State University Juniors with opportunities for mentoring, and academic, personal, and professional enrichment from college to career. Since then, we’ve accepted and nurtured 38 scholars (3 cohorts) and awarded over $85,000 in scholarships and programming. Each scholar is awarded $2000 over the 2-year cohort period.
Funds raised for the HCLSP allow us to provide scholarships, activities, and supplemental resources focused on career readiness, community engagement, health and wellness, human and cultural awareness, and international affairs.
Through this program, we work to move the needle in assisting students in graduating and successfully matriculating as contributing members of the Baltimore community and beyond.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Link With Us to Help Support Our Community!
We invite partners to support The Harbor City (MD) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated in its efforts to enrich the quality of life for those underserved in the Baltimore community.
Partnership opportunities include Supporting the Harbor City Links Scholars Program, the chapter’s current program, designed to help college students of color succeed in college and careers.
Funds raised for this program also allow us to provide activities focused on career readiness, community engagement, health and wellness, cultural awareness, and international air.
- Consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support our Scholars and related programming efforts.
- Provide internships and job opportunities for Harbor City Links Scholars.
There are also sponsorship opportunities for the “The Spirit of the Triple Crown”, the chapter’s signature fundraiser benefiting the Harbor City Links Scholars Program.
For ways to partner with The Harbor City (MD) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
please contact us at: info@harborcitylinksinc.org
Contact Information
We'd love to hear from you. Please remember that we are a volunteer organization and it may take us a little while to respond.
Email Address
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 41160
Baltimore, MD 21203
@harborcitylinks
The Harbor City (MD) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
is a chapter of The Links, Incorporated, an organization of
17,000 professional women of color in 299 chapters
located in 42 states, DC, Bahamas & United Kingdom.