| Program: | South Carolina Links, Columbia, SC | | Contact(s): | Julia W. Sibley, Director: (803) 786-7115 | | Purpose: | To build a network of individuals and organizations that focuses on race relations across South Carolina | | Background South Carolina Links was founded in 1995 to address the increase in hate crimes affecting ecumenical organizations in the state. The program is a coalition of four organizations that united to seek redress for crimes committed against racial and ethnic residents in South Carolina. These four organizations are: the South Carolina Christian Action Council (a statewide ecumenical organization), the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, the Palmetto Project (a statewide not-for-profit organization) and the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council (an organization encompassing several counties in the Midlands of South Carolina.) Program Operations
South Carolina Links organizes bi-annual meetings to address the specific concerns of various ethnic and racial groups in the area. The general purpose of these meetings is to give participants the opportunity to network and develop common agendas to address race-related issues in South Carolina. As part of this statewide network, South Carolina Links developed a membership directory for public distribution. The directory is a valuable asset for networking. In addition, Links publishes a newsletter to inform its membership on program projects. Outcomes and Significant Accomplishments Preliminary information suggests that South Carolina Links increased communication and collaborative methods for various race related organizations through the publication of a newsletter and directory. South Carolina Links also supports a statewide agenda to improve race relations. | 
