Beginning in 1983, the Norfolk Chapter, as a focus for The Arts Facet, began contributing to the Norfolk Young Audiences of Virginia, a program of concerts and musical workshops, in order to expose more schools with high African American population to this cultural enrichment. In April, 1983, the Norfolk links served as the hostess chapter for the Eastern Area Conference. The Governor of Virginia, Charles Robb, was our guest at the public reception. More than 500 were in attendance. In an effort to motivate our youth to aspire to academic excellence, the Norfolk Links, beginning in 1985, recognized those African-American youth in the area who made local scholastic teams, and those who graduated as honor students from high school. Both students and parents are included in this recognition known as Salute to Scholastic Stars. In 1986-87 school year, Superintendent Gene Carter was so impressed with our efforts that he recommended funds be included in the school budget to expand the experience to all 5th and 6th grade students in Norfolk Public Schools. This program was in the district’s budget for over sixteen years. The National Trends and Services Facet expressed our concern for teen-age pregnancies among African-American youth. We co-sponsored with the Junior League of Norfolk and Virginia Beach the appearance of Oprah Winfrey at the Center Theater in June 1987, where she spoke on "Self-Esteem and Sexuality." 

Following Oprah's appearance, we embarked upon a three-year co-op program with the Junior League, targeted at reducing teen-age pregnancies among our youth in the Norfolk area. The co-op program conducted workshops entitled "Human Sexuality and Related Areas” that gave the necessary information and skills. These workshops helped parents effectively communicate with their children on sexuality. In 1986, the Norfolk Links implemented a project that presented to the public positive images of community leaders who were African-American role models for our youth. This project was known as the Martin Luther King Salute Program which was held annually for nearly two decades and extended through Black History Month. 

During that period, photographs of African-American community leaders were placed on display in the lobby of The New Atlantic National Bank where school children were brought to view the subjects, read resumes of their lives and write about them when they returned to the classroom. The Norfolk Links sponsors an annual fundraiser to provide funding for and to achieve and maintain our public service commitments. The chapter has hosted many outstanding successful projects that became signature events in the Hampton Roads area, namely the “Spring Fling” and “The Gentlemen Who Cook.” Most recently, the chapter held a fundraiser and silent auction entitled, “Emeralds and Pearls.” In September 2006, the Norfolk Links initiated its Umbrella Program entitled Effecting Positive Changes: Project TLC (The Links Care) in support of the national theme, “The Links Care (TLC).” Our focus is on consistently demonstrating “TLC” by Effecting Positive Changes in the Norfolk City Community through comprehensive and effectual programming. 

The Services to Youth Facet serves as the lead facet in the coordination, participation and implementation of services and programs for youth in the community. All of the facets support umbrella programming by offering programming that has a significant impact in the community through coordinated, well planned activities that serve targeted youth and other groups.