All of our programs and services have touched the lives
of senior adults in our community. They have come to our
Gathering Meal, visited the Food Pantry, or been assisted
with finding resources.
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for students to remain sharp and ready for the
upcoming school year.
Throughout the school year, Volunteers in
Public Schools (V.I.P.S.) is another Link pro-
gram in which vetted volunteers meet with
elementary aged students at their school to help
them with class work, character development
and social interaction. Students may also be
connected with after-school tutors at The Link’s
location. Reginnia Roat, The Link’s Literacy
Coordinator, can provide information to par-
ents who are interested in V.I.P.S. or any other
student program discussed above. Reginnia also
coordinates literacy efforts for adults in Cull-
man County through adult literacy coaching
and English as a Second Language classes. These
efforts are driven by a team of dedicated volun-
teers who coach and encourage adult learners to
master their skill levels.
The Link’s Life Skills Coordinator, Amber Mc-
Laughlin, works in accordance with the whole
person framework by offering Renew U classes
that address emotional and relational situations
that neighbors walk through every day. Positive
Parenting, Boundaries and Anger Management
are some of the classes offered each week at The
Link and bi-weekly Recovery Meetings, offering
a Christ-centered 12 Step environment, also
take place. These meetings and classes present
concepts that assist participants in acquiring
healthier responses to their circumstances.
Hall states, “Hard circumstances can be a
stumbling block or a stepping stone.” She ex-
plains, “As a team, our staff and volunteers try to
assist neighbors in viewing those circumstances
as stones that are the foundation for change and
6 | SUMMER 2020
transformation. With gentle encouragement, we
can show them how their experiences can give
them wisdom to make progressively positive
CHOICES. When the inevitable results of good
choices begin to produce better circumstances,
we encourage them to share their experience
with someone they know who is still struggling.
We task them to give what they have been given
– hope.”
Nearly every person who seeks services at
The Link of Cullman County will speak to
CULLMAN COUNTY SENIOR MAGAZINE