COMMUNITY SERVICE

Friends Transforming Communities Through Service

Our Award-Winning Programs

• Bridging the Gap: Serving the Whole Child

  Fourth Place | Integrated Programs | 44th National Assembly
  First Place | Integrated Programs | 47th Southern Area Conference

  Program Description:

  Launched in 2016 with Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology, Bridging the Gap: Serving the Whole Child has grown into a signature umbrella program of the Crown Jewels (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Designed to close academic, cultural, health, and opportunity gaps, the initiative unites all five facets to support students from high school through college while extending impact globally.

  Through mentorship, scholarships, field trips, wellness initiatives, and cultural enrichment, the program integrates STEAM education, arts engagement, civic leadership, HBCU support, and international outreach. Students benefit from hands-on experiences, professional development, and essential resources that prepare them for higher education and workforce success.

  From 2022–2025 alone, the initiative has engaged more than 8,000 students and families, awarded over $80,000 in scholarships, supported international students, and expanded global equity efforts in Ghana, Jamaica, Malawi, and Haiti. By addressing the whole child—academic achievement, cultural identity, health, and community empowerment—Bridging the Gap creates lasting impact and sustainable change.

• Cyber Series Mental Health Initiative

  First Place | Single Facet | Health and Human Services | 46th Southern Area Conference
  Third Place | Single Facet | Health and Human Services | 45th Southern Area Conference

  Program Description:

  The Cyber Series Mental Health initiative was an innovative and interactive experience created in partnership with I Am Not Media, Inc. and Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology (POB). Building on learnings from the fall 2017 pilot, the program launched in spring 2018. It consisted of seven high engagement workshops including a team challenge designed to educate students about the influence of excessive social media consumption on their mental health and overall well-being. After completing the workshops, not only did students gain a greater awareness of mental health and health behaviors, but also they developed an enhanced understanding about their online reputation, Internet and device addictions, social media anxiety, and cyberbullying. Students were able to demonstrate healthy social media practices as well as creatively articulate positive social media concepts in a poster campaign project and contest. Students proudly showcased their project posters in an exciting gallery style poster exhibit where they interacted and shared their learnings with visiting guests including parents, faculty, and peers. Awards for the “Most Impactful”, “Most Artistic” and “Fan Favorite” student poster campaigns were given.

  Upon completion of the Cyber Series, post-assessment results indicated a substantial increase in student literacy about mental health, self-identity and social media safety. 100% of the students knew how to detect cyberbullying and 91% of participants knew and cited the different mental health issues attributed to social media usage. The Cyber Series for Mental Health Initiative received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participating students, POB faculty, parents, and poster exhibit attendees, with its influence multiplying well beyond the 265 students who directly engaged in the program over its four-and-a-half-year run. One of the most meaningful outcomes from the Cyber Series experience was helping students to enrich their offline personal interactions. Perhaps participant Ni’Relle Ray expressed it best when she said “The most important thing I learned from this workshop series is how to engage and really take the time to see life yourself other than from your cell phone. #LiveOffline!”