Linking School Children to Success

Denisha Smith has everything she needs. Though born into poverty, this 10-year-old girl gets three square meals each day. She goes on field trips each week and participates in the Girl Scouts. She gets help with her homework from certified teachers each day after school and she has mentors.

Things weren’t always this way. In fact, prior to this year, Denisha wasn’t doing very well in school and she was often cited for poor behavior. But this fall, Denisha enrolled in the Links to Success initiative at Fraser Elementary School.

Links to Success was created by Trident United Way as a way to seamlessly integrate social service programs in schools for the benefit of economically disadvantaged children. One hundred children participate in the Fraser Elementary program; 90% have seen a dramatic increase in test scores, higher school attendance, and fewer disciplinary citations.

The initiative is active in eight locations throughout the three counties producing more girls and boys like Denisha, succeeding in school and headed for a lifetime of positive achievements.