Previous Initiatives
Success by 6
As part of the welfare reform initiative, in 1999, the LexLinc Provider Cabinet formed a committee on early childhood development. At that time, no community-wide strategy existed to address early learning and health needs. In 2000, the committee sought a broader basis of support and forged a partnership with United Way of the Bluegrass to begin a local Success by 6®. LexLinc folded its early childhood development committee into this partnership which addresses developmental needs for children prenatal through age six.
LexLinc housed and incubated Success by 6® until 2006 when the United Way took if fully under their umbrella. LexLinc continued its support of Success By 6® and its initiatives, such as the Early Learning Opportunities Act grant, at the leadership level. Also in 2006, LexLinc expanded its strategic plan to include a wider spectrum of youth development, not just early childhood.
For more information on United Way's Success by 6®, click here.
Fatherhood Initiative
More children need healthy, positive relationships with their fathers. In partnership with the Urban League and the Knight Foundation, MAN-UP is providing a stronger framework for more comprehensive fatherhood support services. Incubated under LexLinc, the initiative now operates under the auspices of the Urban League. Click here for more information from the Urban League.
The Fatherhood Initiative secured a one-year Knight Foundation grant. As part of the LexLinc - Urban League fatherhood partnership, the grant was used to pilot a project in selected early childhood development centers and develop a city-wide infrastructure for fatherhood services. In addition, the initiative secured funds for community-based child abuse prevention projects from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. As a signature event, the annual Father’s Day event and march attracts over 500 people each year.
Although very successful father peer support groups at the Hope Center ended, a similar group at the Fayette County Detention Center began. The Fatherhood Initiative was able to offer assistance to pay GED testing fees at Bluegrass Community and Technical College. The Initiative also developed a family computer literacy program with BCTC that will allow fathers and children to attend computer classes and receive a computer to own. The Fatherhood Initiative developed a partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority to conduct a series of forums concerning fathers and family economic stability. Initiative participants refer fathers to various agencies for holiday assistance, employment opportunities and court and child support issues.
The initiative added new partners and created a strategy to involve faith organizations in the work of the team. The group developed working relationships with professionals, such as attorneys and health care providers to address the needs of fathers. The initiative learned from the Area Health Education Center how to better respond to the need of Spanish-speaking fathers and more effectively work through healthcare providers, such as the Health Department. In partnership with the Association of Black Attorneys, the Fatherhood Initiative developed a rights and responsibilities information sheet for fathers. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass provided public education workshops to educate fathers, human service providers and other interested parties on common family court issues, including an initial training for the regional DCBS staff.
The fatherhood initiative moved under the Urban League in 2007. For more information, contact David Cozart at (859) 233-1561 x31 or email him at dcozart@ullexfay.org
Coleman House
In 2006, LexLinc assisted a coalition with planning to provide better mental health and substance abuse treatment to adolescents and their families. To this end, five agencies co-located services at the Coleman House, a city-owned facility, which badly needed renovation. LexLinc's role was to coordinate a partnership and resources to renovate the facility.
LexLinc secured support from the Homebuilder’s Association of Lexington for the renovation, helped coordinate HBAL and LFUCG efforts to complete the renovation by the beginning of December, 2007, aligned funding streams and payment processes, helped work out renovation details and timelines, procured HBAL supplies when necessary and recruited and organized over 500 hours of volunteer labor. LFUCG estimates the homebuilder contribution of materials and labor at over $200,000. LexLinc contributed over $20,000 for labor and materials not donated.
The LexLinc executive director and board president spoke at the ribbon cutting and formally recognized HBAL and other community partners for their role in the project. LexLinc also sponsored an open house following the ribbon cutting.
Blending Spaces
In summer 2005, LexLinc sponsored and helped organize a partnership called “Blending Spaces: Ultimate School Makeover,” a project with the Home Builders Association of Lexington, Fayette County Public Schools and Georgetown Street Area Neighborhood Association. Volunteers spent a combined 400 hours refurbishing the exterior of Booker T. Washington Academy, an elementary school in the Georgetown Street corridor.