The Linkage Program

My Dream, The Linkage Program

In 1995 I started what was to become a nonprofit organization called the Linkage Program.  As a tool for many of us, the Internet was new, complicated, and scary.  People feared the unknown and how their organization would function or exist in the Internet World.  As we know today, there was not much to fear.

The Akron Public Library had a UNIX-based system/ACORN free to all nonprofits, associations, and clubs.  I started the program using Acorn, the free system offered by the library.

The Linkage Program was to become a database of products and services accessible to nonprofit organizations so each could post their needs and items or services they had in his or her possession to share with other nonprofit organizations.  For example, this could be items, services, job opportunities, training, etc.

Any nonprofit group could fax or email this information, and I would post the items for all nonprofits, businesses, and or individuals able to assist the nonprofit with their needs. The idea was the fax and or email would be sent out to all those participating in sharing the needs and items that were available.

There is nothing more frustrating than watching a nonprofit or individual struggling to get their message out over and over again.  20 years later, there is still no effective way to communicate these needs on a large scale.

The Linkage Program is a place for all nonprofits, religious organizations, businesses, or individuals who are in the position to help and interact with the community’s needs.

The Linkage Program is My Dream; the idea originated by my own needs as a single parent and the help  I never received.

I recall hearing someone say something I will always remember “In order to help the children, we must first help the mother.”  I include the fathers’ “In order to help the children; we must first help the parents.”