Hello everyone! My name is Charles Wagner Jr., the proud founder of Linked Arms Youth Services.

I'd like to take a moment to share the inspiring journey that has shaped our organization and fueled our passion for making a lasting impact in the communities we serve.

 

I'm honored to have the opportunity to share our journey with you and to showcase the incredible work we're doing to create a brighter future for youth. Thank you for joining us on this mission, and we look forward to making a positive impact together.

                                                                 The Linked Arms Initiative

Our story began back in 2013 with me sitting at a bus stop watching a homeless woman in the rain. Wondering how I could help people in such a dire situation, the Linked Arms Initiative was born. The LAI was a student-led community project that aimed to make a real impact on the lives of the homeless population in Riverside, CA.

 

Driven by unwavering dedication and a genuine care for our community, we attracted hundreds of kind-hearted volunteers, who together, distributed food, hygiene kits, and hope to those who needed it most. The accomplishments we achieved during this time stand as a testament to the power of collective action and the difference we can make when we link our hands together. 

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As time went on, I came to the realization that the needs of our community were far greater than what we were able to address through the LAI alone. Through my work grass-roots community organizing work with the homeless and drug-addicted population, I witnessed firsthand the immense impact that decision-making can have on a person's life. This ignited a deep-seated desire within me to make a lasting impact on the youth in our community, who still have the opportunity to navigate the choices that can lead to a life of fulfillment and hope. 

                                                    Various Community Work              

After leaving school, I had the privilege of partnering with various privately funded programs and non-profit organizations, where I organized and coordinated youth development programs, collaborating with many amazing individuals who shared my passion for empowering youth and strengthening communities. Through hard work and commitment which often included working for years for little to no pay, the Youth Development programs I formed and coordinated have assisted various organizations in earning awards, recognitions, and essential funding sources which validate my methodology and effectiveness in reaching youth.

 

 As I continued to work with various privately funded programs and non-profit organizations, I recognized the vital role of after-school enrichment programs in providing young people with the necessary tools and resources to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. However, I also noticed a gap the programs I had been working with were not servicing. My efforts to increase membership in the programs and organizations I was involved with inevitably highlighted the fact that participation often depended on access to transportation and stable living conditions. Communities lacked community-based residential programs to engage at-risk youth in low income areas.

                                                     

As I thought on how to address the needs of parents it sparked my interest in working directly with residential communities to lessen the burden on parents to transport youth to and from programs and to maximize the number of youth who can take part. I truly believe every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential, and by working collaboratively with families and communities, we can make this a reality.

                                                                     A New Mission

After much hard work and perseverance, born out of a deep desire to create a positive impact on the lives of youth in our community, I am happy to announce Linked Arms Youth Services is now a registered 501 c3 non-profit organization with a mission to provide high-quality after-school enrichment programs that empower and uplift young people in our local communities. Our programs are designed to provide a safe and supportive environment where young people can explore their interests, develop new skills, and build confidence.

 

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, we're reaching out to you, our potential supporters, who share our vision and commitment to empowering youth and strengthening communities. By investing in our young people, we are investing in the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow. So, we invite you to join us on this incredible journey, as we work hand-in-hand to make a lasting, positive impact that will ripple through generations to come. Let's link our arms together, united in purpose, to create a future where every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.