Springfield organization founded on friendship, service looks ahead to their 65th year

The Springfield Chapter of The Links President Marcey Langford said the organization is looking forward to completing their "Sister Speaks" project  that will provide an educational overview of the health sciences to Springfield minority students.

Credit: Submitted Photo

Credit: Submitted Photo

The Springfield Chapter of The Links President Marcey Langford said the organization is looking forward to completing their "Sister Speaks" project that will provide an educational overview of the health sciences to Springfield minority students.

The Springfield Chapter of The Links is looking ahead to their 65th year of service to the Springfield community.

“We’re connected to the Springfield community through purposeful service and committed to making a difference in our community,” Springfield Chapter President Marcey Langford said.

She told the News-Sun that their organization is founded on friendship and service.

Over the past two years, the organization has contributed more than 4,000 hours of service to the community and has collaborated with several community organizations and agencies to transform the lives of children and families in the community, she explained.

Langford said this year they are focusing on a project called “Sister Speaks” to strengthen minority women and their families by increasing their awareness of health disparities, educational opportunities, historical influences and available resources.

The organization is looking to partner with Springfield City Schools to provide an educational overview of health sciences to minority students, she added.

“We have to work together to service the community and help the young people because it’s all about the next generation,” Langford said.

She added that they are still in the planning stages of their project.

The Springfield Chapter of The Links has a variety of other programming initiatives for children, women and men that are offered in select school buildings, churches, meeting spaces and in virtual formats due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Springfield Chapter of The Links was established in 1956 with 16 members.

Credit: Submitted Photo

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Credit: Submitted Photo

A recent project the organization completed was focused on strengthening the literacy skills of children, Langford explained.

In partnership with the Gammon House, the Springfield Chapter of The Links created “A History Alive! Series of Four Black History Books” for children, she said. The first book, The Safe House, was designed for grades one and two, and is available at local elementary schools. The second book, for grades three and four, will soon be published.

Langford said their organization is noted for their scholarships, but they want to be noted for more than that and have a lasting effect that will be carried on from generation to generation.

She said that her and the other members would like to thank everyone that has and continues to support their organization.

“Together we make a difference,” Langford said. “Working together we can make a difference in our community.”

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