There is an idea that one is never really understood until things are considered from his/her point of view - until we walk in their shoes When that kind of understanding occurs, hearts merge, miracles happen and more possibilities for positive change can occur

The merging of ideas was brought together by several Newport News downtown and east end interfaith congregations, ministers, priests, rabbis, civic and business leaders with a mission to "Help Break the Cycle Of Poverty" in Newport News. Thus, LINK was created in January 1991 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, volunteer directed agency. Today there are 64 interfaith members who support LINK, representing Christian and non-Christian faith communities

The initial targeted populations for service were the poor and most vulnerable in our communities, the under-served families and individuals living in poverty located in the downtown and east-end areas of Newport News. The challenges initially were hunger, poverty, and emergency financial assistance LINK later recognized the need to address homelessness, addictions, parenting, health care, securing and maintaining Jobs, education and life skills.

After 9 years of providing services, LINK grew to providing services to 24,487 men, women and children at fiscal year end 1999/2000; a dramatic increase from serving 2,697 persons in 1996/97. People from all walks of life have benefited from the programs provided both in-house, and through the collaborative partnerships formed with many community agencies, businesses and interfaith congregations.

In April 1997, LINK took "a leap of faith" and purchased a building located on the outskirts of the historic section of Hilton Village in Newport News. The new location provided easy access by public transportation, thus providing a convenient location for the many people LINK serves from the northern areas of Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson and York County.

LINK’s programs increased in 1997 to include the Emergency Financial Assistance/Referral program and Food Pantry, USDA Food Distribution Center, Professional and Casual Clothing Closet; the ReachOut Mentonng Program; the

OutReach Life Skills and Job Training Center; PORT Winter Emergency Homeless Shelter Program, LINK's Motherread/fatheread Program, Share the Spirit, and Parent Connection. A fifteen-person AmeriCorps VISTA program, and over 900 volunteers live on the Greater Virginia Peninsula provide program and administrative support to all of LINK programs All services are provided free of charge to our clients

LINK's focus for the past four years has been to redirect its services to provide additional educational resources and other community support/referrals to the "under-served" population of our communities. Additionally, special emphasis has been placed on the expansion and maintenance of strong collaborative partnerships with other non-profit agencies in the communities served, to include assistance and supportive services to the elderly, physically or mentally disabled, HIV/AIDS infected/affected, terminally ill, battered women, homeless and substance abuse populations.

The ReachOut Mentoring Program was introduced four years ago, modeled after a nationally designed program, Faith In Action, and was initially funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Unitarian Universalist Social United Action Fund and First Methodist Church of Newport News. The ReachOut and OutReach programs are currently funded by the Bernardine Fransiscan Sisters Foundation of Newport News.

ReachOut is unique in offering trained volunteer mentors recruited from a variety of backgrounds, who provide time, support, empathy and resources to a wide variety of people, including the chronically, terminally ill and elderly, with special needs, who come to LINK or who are referred by other service providers. The mission is to support people, to energize, inspire and assist in coping with their day-to-day challenges

In 1994 the Jubilee Consortium awarded LINK $10,000 00 to implement the first local Continuum of Care study of the needs of the homeless and "at nsk" persons living on the Virginia Peninsula Directors from a small group of agencies and local officials collectively worked to structure this initial task In 1997 the Continuum of Care had grown and worked so effectively. it produced a Continuum of Care Statement, which was given a "Blue Ribbon Award for National Best Practice" by HUD, in addition, LINK's PORT Winter Shelter Program was also nominated for a "National Best Practice Award" in Winter Shelter Programs.

LINK continues to be an active member of the Greater Virginia Peninsula Continuum of Care Council whose primary focus is to continue to form collaborative partnerships with all organizations serving the homeless, elderly and rural communities in need. Currently the Continuum of Care Council has over 100 member non-profit agencies/civic/business and support from members of government and city/county councils of the Greater Virginia Peninsula, who work together to avoid duplication of services, address the needs, and fill the gaps of services needed by the homeless and "at risk" populations.

It is through the generosity of our communities that people experiencing difficult circumstances have the services and support of LINK If you would like to help LINK help others through your donations of volunteer time furniture, cars, clothing, food, or financial donations; please call Lynne Finding, Executive Director at (757)-595-l953 for information.