Contact Information:
Greater Hudson Valley Chapter,
The Links Incorporated,
Brenda Smith
(914) 329-0290
Renee V. H. Simons
(914) 471-0876
The Links Partner with Peekskill’s Youth Bureau
Series of programs launches April 6
Friday, April 8, 2011 --- The Greater Hudson Valley (GHV) Chapter of The Links,
Incorporated, is partnering with the Peekskill Youth Bureau to deliver a series of programs between
April 6 and May 25. Under the banner “Building Tomorrow’s Youth Today,” members from the
GHV’s National Trends facet committee are sponsoring seven workshop modules to not only
prepare young people for the challenges they face today, but also equip them will skills that will
serve them in the future.
“We are committed to developing programs that serve the needs of our community,” said
Cynthia Rountree, President of GHV. “The opportunity to connect with the Peekskill Youth Bureau
so that we could share our knowledge with their students seemed like a natural stepping stone to
an already wonderful partnership we have with the Youth Bureau.”
Since 2003, GHV has conducted a Prom Night program with the Youth Bureau in which
chapter members donate new or gently used gowns to prom participants. During this program,
attendees are also given practical advice on prom behavior, alcohol/drug awareness and
hair/make-up tips. The new workshops enhance this program and introduce new themes for
students to consider in their planning.
The program workshops are:
April 6: Dressing for Success – Appropriate Attire for the Occasion
Diet/Healthy Eating
*April 13: Internet Safety/Cyber Bullying
Teen Dating Violence/Awareness
May 11: How to Get Your Money Right – Financial Literacy
Prom Gown/Suit Distribution
May 25: Links Get Formal
Participant Wrap-up
A program closing reception and recognition of participants is planned for June 15 at
Kathleen’s Tea Room in Peekskill.
The workshops are free of charge; all of the workshops begin at 5:30 p.m. and are expected
to end by 7:30 p.m.
For more information, contact the GHV National Trends Facet Chairs, Velma Lewis at
vg.lewis@verizon.net.
*Workshops will be moderated jointly by GHV Links and African American Men of Westchester and “Love
Shouldn’t Hurt,” a program offered by Hope’s Door, an organization dedicated to assisting women facing
domestic abuse.
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About The Greater Hudson Valley Chapter, The Links, Incorporated
The Greater Hudson Valley Chapter, chartered in 1990, focuses its primary services within four
counties (Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Dutchess) in New York’s mid-Hudson Valley region. The
group has sponsored student scholarships, an arts project with middle school students, mentoring
programs within New Rochelle High School and local school renovations and classroom support in
South Africa. Consistent with efforts of the national organization, The Links, Incorporated, the
Greater Hudson Valley chapter has four focus areas -- The Arts; International Trends; National
Trends and Services; Services to Youth. For more information regarding The Greater Hudson
Valley Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, visit www.greaterhudsonvalleylinksinc.org.
About the Links, Incorporated
The Links, Incorporated, founded in 1946, is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service
organizations of women who are committed to enriching and ensuring the culture and economic
survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The Links, Incorporated has a
membership of over 12,000 professional women of color serving in 272 chapters in 42 states, the
District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Through its philanthropic arm, The
Links Foundation, Incorporated, the organization has contributed more than $24M to charitable
causes since its founding. Links have contributed about 1.2M documented hours of volunteer
services, during the recent biennium, to assist communities throughout the U.S. and developing
countries in Africa. To learn more, visit www.linksinc.org.
About the Peekskill Youth Bureau (boiler plate taken in part from website):
The City of Peekskill Youth Bureau provides children and youth, up to age 21, with effective youth
development programs. Youth Bureau programs are designed to assist city youth in becoming
competent leaders of the 21st century. For more information, visit
http://www.cityofpeekskill.com/youthbureau.
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