International TRends and Services

The International Trends and Services facet provides services and delivers transformational programs to people of African ancestry globally so that they may have a better quality of life. Programs are designed and developed to service educational, health and cultural needs and to help people emerge from poverty. A primary objective of our international work is to enrich the lives of women and their families. Our “boots on the ground” approach provides for more personalized methods for assisting and improving the lives of women, children and men worldwide through long-term programs committed to empowerment and public policy leadership in advocating for social justice.

The International Trends and Services Facet of the Hoffman Estates (IL) Chapter is in the first year of “Cycling Through Life” project which is a unique model of an international empowerment initiative designed to help girls 11-15 facing menstruation difficulties due to the lack of education and cost of female hygiene products. The partnership between Hoffman Estates (IL) Chapter and a Jamaican Primary School will be a model of The Links, Incorporated International Trends and Services facet signature program “Education Across the Miles”. Moving beyond the initial focus of working to educate young girls, the program will make a positive and long-lasting impact on the lives of young girls that do not have access to sanitary/hygiene products when they get their cycle, often preventing them from going to school.The impact of girls missing large amounts of school puts them at risk of dropping out which creates gender inequality and poverty. For this reason, it is necessary to educate and improve access to female hygiene products that enable girls to better continue their education, manage their menstrual cycle and create a meaningful way to increase their self-esteem and take charge of their bodies. The Hoffman Estates (IL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is committed to ensuring that young Jamaican girls are academically successful and educated about puberty and hygiene health.