LINC Information Sheet #1

LINC Overview

One of our objectives for this year is that LINC communities have a clear understanding of LINC and its goals. The purpose of this Information Sheet is to assist us in reaching that goal. Later Information Sheets will cover additional topics.

THE LINC MISSION

The purpose of LINC is to enhance and improve the lives of youth, seniors and their communities by partnering youth and seniors in community service teams.

THE LINC MODEL

The basic model for all LINC activities is to use community service projects as a vehicle for joining youth and seniors in a program that will benefit participants and their communities. Emphasis should be placed on providing meaningful and consistent contact between youth and seniors. Involvement of participants must be reciprocal between youth and seniors, not one serving the other. Service activities that lead to relationship building among the generations must be developed and implemented in local LINC projects. Teams should remain as intact as possible throughout the duration of LINC. This will help foster a mentoring relationship between senior and youth participants and ensure that the youth have consistent and meaningful contact with the active senior population.

LINC PROJECTS

Projects done as part of LINC are based on community needs and therefore determined at the local level. It is necessary that whatever projects are done be based on the LINC model described above: young and old coming together in community service.

LINC PARTICIPANTS

LINC's original focus was on "at-risk" youth. This term was never defined and each community is free to include any youth who would benefit from the program. There was concern that the at-risk label was detracting from senior participation. Therefore, we no longer describe LINC as a program for at-risk youth. Indeed, LINC is for any young person who could benefit from contact with a senior adult and from contributing to the community. The age of the youth is limited only by the needs of the community and the nature of the LINC projects. LINC also focuses on "senior" adults. We do not attach any chronological age requirement to LINC participation. However, the majority of older participants should be at least of retirement age. LINC participants should reflect the racial, ethnic and gender diversity of the communities sponsoring LINC programs.

THE SERVICE LEARNING CONNECTION

Service learning is a critical part of the LINC program. Communities should join LINC activities with the service learning program of their partner schools whenever possible. Service learning provides an arena for selecting and completing LINC activities.