Links2Success

08/28/2026

🎓 Preparing for what comes after high school starts with knowing your options! Opportunities like this help ensure every senior and their family has access to the information they need to plan for the future.

Our LCAN (Local College Access Network- Elevate Desoto!) is presenting this Pre-FAFSA Parent Night to help everyone learn more about the financial aid process, ask questions, and better understand the resources available to help make education after high school possible.

💡 Remember—financial aid isn’t just for traditional four-year colleges. FAFSA can help eligible students access financial assistance for technical and trade schools, certificate programs, colleges, and universities.

📅 Wednesday, September 16
⏰ 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Louis and Gloria Flanzer Club, Arcadia

Empowering families. Elevating futures. 💙💚

08/28/2026

DeSoto County residents, your input matters! 🌐

Please take a few minutes to complete the 2026 DeSoto County Internet Usage Survey. Your responses will help Digital Access for All better understand our community’s internet needs and identify ways to improve digital access throughout DeSoto County.

Your information will remain private and will not be shared.

Complete the survey here: https://qrs.ly/4fhgi1w

Please share this post to help us reach more DeSoto County residents!

Aspirations to Actions
DeSoto County School District
Visit DeSoto
The Patterson Foundation
Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
The City of Arcadia, Florida
DeSoto County, FL

08/27/2026

Please join us in congratulating Links to Success alum Jesus Barrera!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Jesus, who has graduated from South Florida State College as a Registered Nurse!

Here’s what Jesus had to say about his Links to Success experience: "Links lit a fire under me. It opened my eyes to career paths I never knew existed and helped me build relationships, connections, and a network that will support me for years to come.”

Jesus is a graduate of our College and Career Prep Program, Class of 2022. Congratulations, Jesus! 🎓🎉

08/27/2026

🚀 Join the 2026–2027 Youth Exploration Program! 🚀
Give your student a head start on their future! Our awesome community partner, Links2Success, is hosting a monthly afterschool program to help students explore careers, build essential life skills, and grow into confident leaders through fun, hands-on workshops.

Program Highlights:
📍 DeSoto Middle School (DMS)
💡 Monthly Workshops
🍎 100% FREE + free snacks are provided at every meeting!

Eligibility Requirements:
This program is open to DeSoto students in grades 6th–8th with a minimum 3.0 GPA and no behavior referrals.

⏰ Application Deadline: August 31st
📩 Acceptance Notifications: Sent by September 17th

Don't wait, space is limited! Scan the QR code in the flyer or apply directly using this link: 🔗 bit.ly/YEP26
For questions, contact: [email protected]


We are , all for kids.

08/25/2026

We are so proud of Yarely and grateful for this opportunity from William G. and Marie Selby Foundation!!

2026 Selby Scholar Yarely Hidalgo-Ibarra is headed for the University of South Florida to study Architecture and Urban & Regional Planning. She is ready for a successful college career, thanks to her academic record, resilience and resourcefulness, and support from Links2Success. When youth-serving organizations are called out by students, you know how instrumental they have been! Yarely, congratulations!

08/25/2026

📣 Attention DeSoto County Seniors!

The college application process can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Join our FREE College Application Boot Camp during fall break (October 19-22) for hands-on, step-by-step support:

✔️ Common App Workshop
✔️ College Tour
✔️ FAFSA Night
✔️ Essay & Résumé Workshop

💰 Attend all four sessions and earn a $200 incentive!

Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply now: https://bit.ly/Fall26Bootcamp

This opportunity is provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Peace River Citrus Products, Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, and United Way Suncoast.

DeSoto County School District
DeSoto County Education Foundation
DeSoto County High School

08/18/2026

We were so happy to connect with so many DeSoto County High School students today and share about post secondary opportunities, resources, and pathways for life after graduation! 🎓

Links to Success is excited to offer a Fall College Application Boot Camp for seniors, as well as free Student Success Coaching for any student in grades 9 through 12. Check out the flyers for more information about these free opportunities!

We are incredibly grateful to our community partners whose support makes these free programs and resources possible for students and families.

Thank you to DeSoto County Education Foundation and DeSoto County High School for inviting us to be part of this event and giving us the opportunity to connect with so many students! 🎓

Book a Coaching Session: bit.ly/LinksSuccessCoach
Seniors, Apply for Boot Camp: http://bit.ly/Fall26Bootcamp

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation
United Way Suncoast
Suncoast Credit Union
Florida Power & Light

08/17/2026

📣 Applications are now open for our Youth Exploration Program!

Middle school students in DeSoto are invited to apply for this FREE afterschool program designed to help students explore careers, build essential life skills, develop leadership, and prepare for their future through engaging experiences and monthly workshops.

Thanks to the generous support of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, United Way Suncoast, and our community partners, there is no cost for students to participate.

📅 Application Deadline: August 31
📍 Open to DeSoto students in grades 6 through 8

Admission is competitive and space is limited.

🔗 Apply here: bit.ly/YEP26

DeSoto County School District
DeSoto Middle School

08/17/2026

🎓🎒✏️ Our latest Adult Scholarship application period is now open!!

To apply, students must be 2️⃣4️⃣ years of age or older. They must also be a resident of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, or DeSoto County and be pursuing, or planning to pursue, further education at an accredited university, community college, technical school, or certification program.

Interested in applying, or know someone who might be? Visit the link in the comments to learn more. The deadline to apply is Sept. 1️⃣5️⃣.

08/10/2026

Happy First Day of School from Links to Success! 🎉

Wishing all students, teachers, and staff a wonderful 2026-2027 school year! We are so excited for the year ahead and look forward to working with so many of you!

Links to Success provides free college and career readiness programs for DeSoto County middle and high school students. We also support parents and families with information, resources, and guidance. Keep an eye on our page, website, and announcements at your school for upcoming programs and opportunities.

Here’s to a great year, DeSoto County! 🎓📚✨