I had the pleasure of producing a film presentation for the Trinity (TX) chapter of the The Links, Incorporated, for their annual “Diamonds and Sneakers Fundraiser” and it was a real eye-opener. The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of nearly 14,000 professional women of color in 282 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The Trinity (TX) chapter uses the fundraising event to grant funds within the community and as part of international efforts to support five program facets of The Links, Incorporated which include: Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services.
I identified with their chapter and its mission in many ways. Growing up in South Dallas, my school did not have extensive clubs and programs…other than band and sports…to keep students engaged outside of what was taught in the classroom, a situation that still somewhat exists today. Within a metropolitan city such as Dallas, there are many Music and Dance schools around town, but these might as well be non-existent to young people in underserved communities. Many families simply can not afford to pay for any extracurricular activities. Most of the area schools do not have budget to provide after school programs where such opportunities could be made available. This is an area of particular concern to the local Links chapter, who have contributed time and money to the effort of providing more learning opportunities FREE to students within the community.
Of the many local, national and international programs and initiatives they support, the Trinity (TX) Chapter Links’ main focus is on a program called “So SMAART”. This is an acronym for “Set on Science and Engineering, Mathematics, the Arts, Aviation, Reading and Technology”. The program is an early intervention program established by the chapter to mentor girls, in fourth through eighth grades, and address the lack of minority female students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) areas.
“Wow! I wish that program was available to me when I was growing up,” I thought to myself as they explained their organizational mission. But I was not there to dream of what could have been. I was there to listen to them describe their vision for the film that would be presented at their annual “Diamonds and Sneakers Gala”. They wanted me to highlight the behind the scenes work that the Trinity chapter puts into implementing their initiatives, promote their cause, raise awareness and fundraise. They wanted the audience to be inspired and motivated to help and realize it takes more than good looks to make it work! (Just kidding here, but they are a gorgeous group of women.)
“Wow! I wish that program was available to me when I was growing up,” I thought to myself as they explained their organizational mission. But I was not there to dream of what could have been. I was there to listen to them describe their vision for the film that would be presented at their annual “Diamonds and Sneakers Gala”. They wanted me to highlight the behind the scenes work that the Trinity chapter puts into implementing their initiatives, promote their cause, raise awareness and fundraise. They wanted the audience to be inspired and motivated to help and realize it takes more than good looks to make it work! (Just kidding here, but they are a gorgeous group of women.)
Trinity (TX) Chapter President, Sharyn Holley, says “It’s our commitment to these girls and the community that makes this program so successful.” I’d have to agree. I was granted access to see all the hard work, the meetings, the planning and commitment that these women undertake to make these programs possible. It really hit home for me and I was inspired to ask myself, “What am I doing at home as a parent to help my kids- my girls- become So SMAART?”
Having after school programs is one thing, but parents should also be reminded to play their role in setting their kiddos up for success. It’s sometimes difficult to realize that your children grow, and come to grips with the fact that whilst they will always be your little angels, they aren’t babies anymore. You want them to grow to be their own, beautiful individuals. And sometimes, that means giving them their own space to do real work!
Having after school programs is one thing, but parents should also be reminded to play their role in setting their kiddos up for success. It’s sometimes difficult to realize that your children grow, and come to grips with the fact that whilst they will always be your little angels, they aren’t babies anymore. You want them to grow to be their own, beautiful individuals. And sometimes, that means giving them their own space to do real work!
After observing the work that the Trinity Links did and reflecting on what we do at home, I came up with a list of a few things that will hopefully facilitate your children’s interest in STEM/ SMAART activities and enhance their learning:
Create their own office space with a medium/ large desk and comfortable chair designated specifically for homework, reading, studying, arts and crafts. No more paper scattered all over the kitchen table! Create a list of tasks that helps to establish a daily routine. It’s posted on the wall and a copy is kept in their school binder as a reminder.
- Keep in touch with their teacher. Let the teacher know what’s going on at home and I definitely want to know what’s going on at school.
- Get some professional help! I’m a mom but I realize my kids may not want to talk to me about everything. I solicited the help of a professional adolescent counselor to make sure their emotional needs are addressed and they explore and express their feelings in positive ways. If you have health insurance, it’s a covered benefit so why not use it! Call to see if your insurance has an EAP or Employee Assistance Program to take advantage of these inexpensive or even free services.
- Hold your kids accountable. Treat them with encouraging words when they do their chores and follow their routine and provide consequences when they don’t. I have no qualms with taking away privileges or letting them miss a friend’s party due to not following the rules. I tell them, rules and chores are put in place to keep our home and our lives in order. Granted I was a free spirit and allowed to do A LOT growing up, but we were taught parameters and we rarely, if ever crossed the line…or else!
Shooting and editing the following presentation reminded me of my past, made me reflect on my present and gave me some “food for thought” as a parent. I want to invest in a solid future for my children and for our world. Supporting organizations like the Links, Incorporated is one way to help provide a bright future to others. I truly hope I did them justice. I hope you enjoy the video. Hopefully it will inspire you to assist your kids to become So SMAART and support other individuals and organizations in the community that work to do the same!
Please leave your comments below about the video, the Links, Incorporated or other organizations that are making a difference in the community. Share what you're doing or would like to do to help your young family members and friends become "So SMAART." Thanks for engaging!