Alumni |
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Upon graduation from Link, all kids and
families become a part of the Link Alumni Program. We have an
Alumni Activity every three months and maintain contact at other
times. This means that families do not need to re-enter the system
for minor needs. Kids stay connected to Link so we can help when
things in life need just a little extra attention. |
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My
Link Experience...........By Dwayne
A
few quotes from...........................Mom
My
experience with Link began about 5 years ago.
Link was working with my older sister at the
time, and I remember thinking to myself, why
is she getting all the attention.
Well,
as time went on I soon realized that my sister
would not be the only one. Link, would become
a huge part of our whole family. During the time
I have known Link, they have helped my two sisters,
myself, and my mom.
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are many things that Link has done to help us. Every year
Link staff has taken my family on an outing to pick our
Christmas tree. We would pile our whole family into the
big white Link van. One of the funniest times I remember,
was when my mom opened the van door, lost her balance and
plopped on the ground. Once we knew she was o.k., everyone
had a good laugh (including my mom)! I will also never
forget the winter that the heater in our trailer stopped
working. We called the Link office to see if there was
any way they could help us. It was late in the day, but
the staff at Link stayed late to help and sent someone
to our home to fix our heater. Through all the help that
Link has given my family, what was most important was that
they taught us how to help ourselves better by using resources
that they introduced to us. |
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A
quote from mom:
Youth & Family Link is a great program
for youth.
The program has been continually helpful, especially
toward strengthening our family values.
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There's
been many things for me personally that Link has done.
Link has connected me to volunteer opportunities, and
during that time I needed help with transportation
so Link helped me get a bus pass. I was able to volunteer
at a nursing home, and spend a summer as a junior lifeguard
at Catlin Pool volunteering through the Parks and Recreation
Department. Also during my involvement with the Parks
Department I had the opportunity to take a field trip
to the Oregon coast with other youth my own age. Before
I began Link, I had a hard time being around other
kids. I didn't have enough self confidence to know
how to talk to people. A lot of my Link time was spent
in group program, it was fun and gave me the chance
to get along better with other kids.
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I am an alumni of Link. However, even though I am a graduate
of the program, I feel as if Link has never really left
my life. I continue to have a relationship with all of
the Link staff. On a regular basis we still get together
often just to visit or to do the things I might need help
with every now and then (homework, job search, etc.) |
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