Maya McFadden Photos
New Haven Links' inaugural cohort for winter session of Tea Time With Teens.
Maya McFadden Photo
The inaugural cohort of the New Haven Links’ “Tea Time with Teens” celebrated its first five middle school graduates.
The ceremony took place Saturday at Highville Charter School, where the New Haven students were celebrated for their dedication to the program for the past six weeks.
Family members and supporters also gathered for that final session of Tea Time with Teens with the New Haven Chapter of The Links Incorporated.
The New Haven Links chapter was established 52 years ago. The six-week program originated from past church traditions of hosting tea after a service. The program goal is to empower, uplift, and encourage girls aged 12 – 14. The students attended sessions Saturday mornings.
The group included seventh- and eighth-graders Taraji Wharton-Robinson, Akayla Wilson, Tiana Young, Janae Callens, and Juliana Holmes. The grads attend Highville Charter School and Mauro-Sheridan Interdistrict Magnet.
Around noon at Saturday’s event students made jewelry and vision boards alongside Links members. This was followed by a celebratory lunch with their families.
The students recalled sessions teaching them about human trafficking, budgeting, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), communication, and healthy relationships.
“It’s really sad today’s the last day, because every Saturday for the past six weeks has been a way out the house,” Wilson said.
Wharton-Robinson added that she enjoyed learning “how to move up in life” through mentorship from professional women like Links chapter President and former Mayor Toni Harp and other professional women. Callens added that the Links program showed her that there are “people that look like me that are capable of helping the community.”
“They understand us because they look like us and know what we go through,” Wharton-Robinson said.
“As professional women, we have given you our hard-earned time, because we value you,” Harp said during Saturday’s ceremony.
Holmes said the session about human trafficking taught her that “anywhere you are, watch your surroundings.”
The human trafficking session was co-taught by Links members state Department of Children and Families (DCF) Commissioner Jodi Hill Lilley and pediatrician Tamiko Jackson-McArthur.
From the healthy relationships session, Callens said, she learned that “there is always going to be someone that will care for you.”
Links member Sheila Carmon described the graduates as the “faithful five.”
Callens and Young earned additional awards individually for arriving early and for each session throughout the program and winning a heathy relationships bingo night.
Carmon concluded Saturday’s program by announcing the Links Tea for Teens will host another cohort in the fall and will invite the inaugural class back to co-facilitate a fall session.
Laurel Callens, mother of eighth-grader Janae, thanked the Links members after Saturday’s ceremony and Highville Charter School members for hosting the program. Callens, secretary of Highville Charters Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) said she is happy her daughter could learn more about finances and dining etiquette.
“Now Janae tells me every single time I put the forks on the wrong side,” she said.
Links chapter President Toni Harp helps 12-year-old Tiana Young make a bracelet.
Saturday's jewelry making session.