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Bridge & Anchor Youth Initiative
The Bridge and Anchor Youth Initiative is our youth-focused umbrella at Linked Family Services, created to support children, teens, and their caregivers through programs, events, and advocacy that respond to real needs in our communities.
We believe that young people need both a bridge to opportunities and resources—and an anchor of steady support as they grow, heal, and lead.
From school navigation to emotional wellness, from pregnancy support to life skills, the Bridge and Anchor Youth Initiative provides age-appropriate, culturally relevant support for youth ages 6–21, including pregnant and parenting teens.
What Falls Under This Initiative?
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Family Navigation & Systems Advocacy for caregivers of youth ages 6–17
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Youth health and wellness events, like our Pads & Pencils back-to-school cycle support event
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Pregnant and Parenting Teen support
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Emotional health education and support circles
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Parent and caregiver coaching for families raising older children
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Skill-building workshops and seasonal activities
At Linked Family Services, we’re building a future where every young person feels seen, supported, and surrounded by community. The Bridge and Anchor Youth Initiative is how we begin.
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Pads & Pencils Event
Each year, Linked Family Services brings together adolescent girls and their mother figures for Pads & Pencils—a one-of-a-kind caregiver-child engagement experience designed to address period poverty while promoting school readiness, confidence, and healthy communication.
What began as a single community event in August 2025 has grown into an annual tradition dedicated to ensuring that girls have both the essential resources and the knowledge they need to thrive. At Linked Family Services, we believe prevention means more than providing supplies—it means creating opportunities for education, conversation, and connection that strengthen families long before challenges arise.
Our inaugural event welcomed more than 80 girls and caregivers, with registration reaching capacity in just 36 hours. Families participated in age-specific breakout sessions, received school supplies and period relief bundles, connected with community resources, and engaged in meaningful conversations about puberty, self-esteem, emotional wellness, and positive body image. Together, we distributed more than 500 menstrual products, helping girls begin the school year feeling prepared, supported, and confident.
Coming October 18, 2026
The 2nd Annual Pads & Pencils will build on last year's success with an even more interactive experience celebrating International Day of the Girl and Period Action Day.
More than an event, Pads & Pencils is a commitment to ensuring that every girl enters the school year with the resources, confidence, and support she deserves—and that every caregiver feels equipped to walk alongside her.
Together, we're breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation, addressing period poverty, strengthening caregiver-child relationships, and investing in brighter futures for Philadelphia's girls.
Full Recap: 2025 Pads and Pencils 2025
