PoSITivity Bench

PoSITivity Bench

The Little Rock (AR) Chapter of the Links, Inc on November 9, 2022 partnered with Anita Davis, owner of The Bernice Gardens to install the PoSITivity Bench on South Main Street in downtown Little Rock.  The PoSITivity Bench is part of a national initiative by the Links, Incorporated with benches being installed in cities around the world.

Ms. Anita Davis purchased a building named after her grandmother and an adjourning vacant lot where she developed an open-air garden with the goal of letting guests commune with nature in this area close to free parking, restaurants, and restrooms.    

The Bernice Garden is an event center and herbal garden hosting events such as a weekly farmer’s market, weddings, cornbread festival among others.  its sculptures and artworks represent and reflect the spirit, nature and history of Arkansas.

The “PoSITivity Bench creates a safe, calming, neutral space for conversations between community members, encouraging them to “Dream, Believe, and Achieve.” Placement of the “PoSITivity Bench” in The Bernice Garden supports the garden’s purpose of celebrating the community, fostering neighborliness and creating a sense of pride in the area.

The bench spotlights the pandemic’s stress on isolation, mental health, suicide, loneliness, and achievement gaps.  it encourages youth and adults to invite positive relationships, request a time to chat, or simply self-reflect, meditate, or seek a quiet time to read.”

Members of National Trends selected the site, members of the Arts facet chose the bench and selected the motivational motto, and members of Health and Human Services facet coordinated the design and installation of the PoSITivity Bench project for the Chapter. The Little Rock Chapter of the Links, Inc. shall continue to bridge the gap brining Mental Health Awareness to the local community in partnership with the Bernice Garden Project in downtown Little Rock, AR. “Members of the International Trends and Services did the publicity including our own Donna Terrell writing and Doris Washington facilitating the dedication ceremony being shown on two local TV stations.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z-UqDWGkl4

https://www.kark.com/video/little-rock-links-positivity-bench-instillation/8146157/