Missionary Project 2008/09
About The Link…
The Link Family and Community Centre came into being in January 1997. It was an attempt to make a Christian response to the needs of the area at the time; underage drinking, drug abuse, lack of somewhere for young people to go, loneliness and isolation and a high incidence of teenage pregnancy.
Ten years on The Link has become a registered charity and an independent community development organisation with its management committee and volunteers involving people from around twenty local churches. Since its small beginnings, in a small coffee bar drop-in based in commercial premises on one of the town’s main business thoroughfares, The Link has expanded the range and scope of its work aimed at bringing about positive change and growth in human lives so that ‘the community of Ards would love God and love their neighbours as they love themselves.’ The groups of people we work with include marginalised young people who have been excluded from education and with limited opportunities in employment and life in general, people with long term addictions to alcohol who often find themselves homeless and without any family support, senior citizens experiencing isolation and parents with young children.
The stated ethos of The Link encourages people to have a healthy self-regard and to seek the well being of others. It promotes equal opportunity and good community relations. Community Development principles both form the cornerstone of its work, services and facilities and underpin its ‘determination to ensure that involvement in the organisation is a positive and enjoyable experience for all.’
As The Link’s work has grown, so too the need for larger premises to house the vast array of activities now taking place. Because of this and the developing work, we at The Link have launched our Development Fund Appeal. The annual turnover of The Link, not including the new building is approximately £370,000 and funding can be difficult to find and extremely time consuming. We are therefore extremely grateful for support from an organization like Christian Endeavour, as we know that with financial support comes much valued prayer.
We would like to thank you in anticipation of the support you have offered and if you would like to know more about what we do, or to visit The Link, then please feel free to contact me or some of the other staff you will meet though this pack.
Yours in Christ
Diane Holt
Director
