Debate should be accessible to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic background. But debaters without access to coaches, summer intensive programs, and resource subscriptions are disadvantaged at tournaments. This is where LINK comes in; we provide free weekly debate lessons during the school year, a two week debate intensive during the summer, and free online resources to under-resourced students. LINK focuses primarily on debaters in the fourth through eighth grades, as creating a strong foundation at an early age is critical to success in debate. While our main goal is to provide low-income students with debate opportunities, we will not deny any student the chance to explore debate. 
             During lessons, our team of passionate and highly experienced debaters teach fundamental debate skills such as public speaking, case writing, proper presentation etiquette, and research. Participation in actual tournaments makes up a large part of a debater’s learning curve, and so in addition to in-house practice rounds, students have the opportunity to put their skills into practice during three real debate tournaments (which take place at different points throughout the school year), which they will attend free of charge. 
             Through these initiatives, LINK works to level the playing field and promote equity within debate.