Central Area of The Links, Incorporated Convenes Leadership Summit in Merrillville

Alice Strong Simmons 2013 2015The Central Area of The Links, Incorporated, will convene the 2014 Central Area Leadership Summit, Empowering 21st Century Change Agents: Phase II, October 24-26 at Radisson Hotel Star Plaza in Merrillville, Ind. Hosted by the Northern Indiana (IN) and South Bend Area (IN) Chapters of Links, Incorporated, the Summit provides hands-on leadership training and transformational program opportunities for Links members.

Prior to the start of the summit meeting, the members of the Central Area will activate its We CAre ‘Wrap-Up For Winter’ service project at Sojourner Truth House, 410 West 13th Avenue, Gary, Ind., at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24. In the Links tradition of providing hands-on volunteer service in host cities, donated winter apparel including hats, gloves, scarves and socks, as well as hands-on organizational assistance will be donated to Sojourner Truth for both program participants and the facility. The We CAre ‘Wrap-Up For Winter’ service project is spearheaded by the Chicago Cluster, Northern Indiana (IN) and South Bend Area (IN) chapters of The Links, Incorporated.

Alice Strong Simmons, Central Area director said, “We are always gratified to provide service in the communities where we host our meetings and feel fortunate to be able to advance the work at Sojourner Truth House. We are pleased to work with our host chapters, Northern Indiana (IN) and South Bend Area (IN), in partnership with Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, mayor of the city of Gary, Ind., and a member of the Northern Indiana (IN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, to answer the call for assistance at Sojourner Truth House.”

The summit will address two major initiatives facing our communities, Closing the Achievement Gap: Phase II, Math and Literacy Initiative, which addresses the critical educational needs of children, and the Central Area’s From the Heart HBCU Scholarship Endowment Campaign. Funds raised from the campaign continue to enrich the Central Area Endowed Scholarships established at the 17 historically black colleges and universities to ensure that those who start their college journey finish.

The 2014 Central Area Summit is generously supported by Toyota, Cox Business, Kansas Gas Service – A Division of ONE Gas, Oklahoma Natural Gas – A Division of ONE Gas, South Shore CVA and Gurley Leep.