What We Do:
Mid-Cities (TX) Links’s commitment to health, the arts, and youth development — alongside its focus on advocating for resources and services both nationally and internationally — highlights its integral role in the community. Through strategic programming, partnerships, and innovative approaches delivered through our facets, the organization continues to fulfill its mission of serving African-American communities and individuals of African ancestry worldwide.
Services to Youth
The Services to Youth facet focuses on empowering African-American youth to become successful and productive citizens. The programs are tailored to support educational, cultural, social and personal development. Below are key programs and activities:
- National Reading Day at W.T. Hanes Elementary. Served Pre-K to 4th graders, donated books to the school library.
- Backpack Donation: Partner annually with Community Partners of Dallas to provide backpacks to children in Irving, Arlington and Grand Prairie Independent School Districts.
- Support for Junior Achievement of Dallas: Engaged in activities to prepare youth for success through health and wellness fairs, career exploration, and civic engagement responsibilities.
The Arts
The Arts facet emphasizes promoting arts within the community and expanding arts-related activities through transformative programming. The following initiatives highlight the facet’s contributions:
- Arlington Child Development Center Collaboration: Engaged students under age 6 to raise awareness about kidney health through art poster contest.
- Kidney Wise Kids Program: Educated children on kidney health through story-time, art projects, experiments, and healthy eating exercises.
- Poster Art Program: Coordinated participation in the Links National Poster Art Program and collaborated with local museums to expand reach.
- Teenagers in Theatre Apprenticeship: Partnered with the Bishop Arts Theatre Center to host middle school students from Grand Prairie and Arlington Independent School Districts in a six-week masterclass exploring how “STEAM” integrates with theatre production.
Health & Human Services
The Health and Human Services facet is dedicated to addressing health disparities in communities of color through education and advocacy. This facet primarily focuses on chronic illnesses like kidney disease, mental health, and family wellness. Some of the key activities include:
- Black Kidney Awareness, Resources & Education (Black K.A.R.E.): Provided training and education on chronic kidney disease to community members.
- Black Family Wellness Cluster Event: Educated attendees on the prevention of chronic kidney disease.
- Partnerships for Kidney Screening: Collaborated with National Kidney Foundation and Dallas Nephrology Association, providing health screening and distributing educational materials on chronic kidney disease.
- Partnered with American Heart Association Walk arming individuals with information about chronic kidney disease.
- NAMI Walk Support: Partnered with our North Texas Cluster and participated in the National Alliance on Mental Illness Walk, donating to mental health support services.
National Trends & Services
The National Trends and Services facet aims to reduce barriers to essential resources through advocacy, education, and service, focusing on issues impacting African-Americans and underserved communities. Notable programs include:
- Tarrant County Commissioner Partnership: Advocated for chronic kidney disease awareness, resulting in a proclamation and a community fair.
- Voter Registration Drives: Registered new voters and confirmed voter status.
- Voter Education Initiatives: Implemented a “Voter Education Toolkit” with QR code menus at restaurants and secured community partners for future legislative awareness events.
- Legislative Advocacy: Conducted letter-writing campaigns to Congress advocating for additional resources to support communities affected by kidney disease.
International Trends & Services
The International Trends and Services facet broadens the scope of service to a global platform, aiming to address the educational, health, and cultural needs of people of African descent worldwide. Programs under this facet include:
- Education Across the Miles – Jamaica: Delivered books and personal notes to girls at Moneague Primary School in St. Ann, Jamaica.
- World Kidney Awareness Day Campaign: Sent Chronic Kidney Disease kits to Jamaica with resources for free health clinics, screenings and nutrition campaigns.
- Health Equity Ambassador Links Program: Promoted global kidney awareness through health education and cultural engagement.
The Umbrella Program
The Mid-Cities Links Chapter leverages all five facets in the Umbrella Program to combat chronic kidney disease in African-American communities through education, health screening, community fairs, fine arts contests, and legislative advocacy.
2023-2024 Achievements:
- Health and Human Services Facet: Educated 1,271 individuals on kidney health and prevention.
- Services to Youth Facet: Donated 100 backpacks with school supplies to students in Arlington, Irving, and Grand Prairie ISDs.
- The Arts Facet: Hosted coloring sessions for children under 10 to teach kidney function.
- National Trends and Services Facet: Advocated for kidney disease resources through legislative efforts.
- International Trends and Services Facet: Extended chronic kidney disease awareness to Jamaica through educational materials and health kits.