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To help promote socialization and combat isolation, The Gateway (IL) Chapter of The Links, Inc. gifted a “poSITivity” bench on Monday, March 28 to benefit students, families and staff of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) and the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus (ESLHEC). 

“I would like to thank The Links for this bench, which I will be using,” said ESLC Executive Director Timothy Staples, EdD, after the unveiling. “We are grateful to have on the campus, The Links and Dr. Lillian Adams Parks, who is such a wonderful and well-respected educator. She is a hero of mine, and I desire to be an educator like her.” Parks founded The Gateway (IL) Chapter in 1986. 

SIUE, a partner of The Links, received the organization’s second “poSITivity” bench after Harris Stowe State University, said Andrea Johnson-Lee, president of The Gateway (IL) Chapter. 

“We know during the COVID pandemic, a spotlight has been on isolation, mental health, suicide, loneliness and achievement gaps,” said Johnson-Lee. “The Central Area of The Links, Inc. pioneered the initiative to have our chapters partner with local organizations and place a ‘poSITivity’ bench on their grounds to support youth, adults and seniors. 

“Whether someone is having a challenging day,” she continued, “or they just need a place to sit and reflect on life’s pleasures, it’s our hope that this bench will foster community, combat isolation and encourage empathy.” 

Johnson-Lee read a resolution that highlighted several ESLC program initiatives and collaborations that are linked with the bench’s purpose. 

“This is a wonderful facility,” said Parks. “We know the bench will add to the campus, and we hope it will be useful for years to come.” 

“SIUE is grateful to be able to provide services on the campus,” said Staples. “Gary Cruise with the Illinois Community College Board, the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, Executive Director of the East St. Louis Community College Fund Pamela Coaxum and other partners are excited about bringing more programs to campus. We hope that organizations like The Links will be in the forefront of that.” 

With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts. 

Photos:
Dr. Lillian Adams Parks (seated), founder of the Gateway (IL) Chapter of The Links, Inc. joins in the applause at the unveiling of the “poSITivity” bench. Links members from left to right are Dr. Carletta Harlen and Dr. Patrice Colbert. 

Seated left to right are: Parks, Gateway (IL) Links President Andrea Johnson-Lee, ESLC Executive Director Timothy Staples, EdD, SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Interim Director Carolyn Jason and Alvin Parks. Back row left to right: Links members Dr. Linda Baker Roby and Tevis Taylor, Illinois Community College Board Director Gary Cruise, Executive Director of the East St. Louis Community College Fund Pamela Coaxum, Links member Lauren Parks, SIUE Director of Online Services and Educational Outreach Mary Ettling, and SIUE Upward Bound Program Director Keith Ware, EdD.