Our Impact.

Since 1972, the North Shore (IL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, has been committed to delivering impactful, sustainable and transformational community programs. We take great pride in serving our communities with compassion and excellence. Our program initiatives are aligned with The Links, Incorporated five programming facets which include Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services and Health and Human Services.

Our chapter currently provides programming related to Human Trafficking; minority health issues and disparities; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); art appreciation and global reach initiatives. Through the years we have provided scholarships to high school students and supported many cultural and civic organizations. Here are just a few of the Chapter’s programming highlights:

  • Supporting Healthcare

    Hosted (25+ plus years) a free Lake County Health Fair in partnership with Lake County Head Start, Great Lakes Naval Base, Lake Forest Hospital, North Chicago Park District, several Lake County churches, social service providers and health care professionals

    Implemented Can You Imagine ME? a program addressing childhood obesity funded in part by The Links Foundation, Incorporated and in partnership with St. Francis Hospital, McGaw YMCA, Safeway Grocery, Sharpe Kids Foundation, Evanston Police Department, and Family Focus-Evanston

  • Supporting Africa

    Funded the $10,000 rehabilitation of Halalisa Primary School in KwaZulu Province, South Africa-Schools for Africa

    Sponsored vocational education programs in support of Ugandan youth in partnership with Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO)

    Contributed funds annually to COVE Alliance in support of education and social services for six orphaned children (primary thru high school graduation) – St. Jerome COVE Center, Kapeeka, Uganda

  • Supporting Arts

    Conducted art auctions and free art exhibits to provide a platform for African American artists on the North Shore and greater Chicagoland area

    Partnered with Evanston Community TV to provide film classes for middle school youth, which culminated in the production of a film, In Our Own Voices shown during Central Area Conference

    Hosted Chicago Sinfonietta concerts and classical workshops for elementary and middle school students enrolled in Family Focus-Evanston after-school programs

  • Raising Money

    Hosted major fundraiser honoring chapter member Etta Moten Barnett, acclaimed Broadway actress and vocalist, Etta 96, held at the Art Institute of Chicago. Fundraising efforts netted $100,000+

    Donated $10,000 to Evanston Community Foundation’s Women and Girls Fund

  • Parternships

    Established a JoAhn Brown Nash Reading Room at Family Focus-Evanston, promoting reading literacy for primary and elementary school students

    Partnered with the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center and YWCA–Evanston/North Shore, to support the Women Hold Up Half the Sky exhibit. Supported, MANDELA-Struggle for Freedom and The Motorists exhibits

    Human Trafficking programming was established in partnership with the Jewish Community Against Sex Trafficking (JCAST) Chicago

  • Recognition

    First African American organization to donate to the National Achievement Scholarship Program

    Received a Best Practices Award at the 2013 Area Conference and the 2014 National Assembly of The Links, Incorporated

    Implemented a STEM program for children with the Evanston Public Library and won a 2022 National Best Practices Award