DENVER (CO) CHAPTER, THE LINKS, INCORPORATED
Message from the Chapter
Greetings from the Mile High City!
Since 1952, the Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has served a vital role in enriching the lives of African Americans and others in the greater Denver community with a focus on service, friendship, community involvement and philanthropy. We know the importance of instilling philanthropy in our younger generation and modeling that for our youth is an important part of our responsibility as philanthropists. We also recognize that historically Black philanthropy has played a key role in developing schools, banks, churches and other establishments. For many of our members, their families have a rich tradition of philanthropy and their contributions have impacted generations of people here locally and around the country.
The chapter includes 53 active members engaged in delivering over 3,500 volunteer service hours annually. As an organization focused on the betterment of the Rocky Mountain community, we believe in the significance of authenticity – showing up and staying present. Therefore, it’s not how much of your time, talent or treasure that you give, but it’s doing so in a spirit of friendship and service.
The Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, stands on the shoulders of many and remains humble and grateful to our partners and members in the community for embracing our vision, mission and values.
Community Impact
Denver Links honor veterans during ‘National Impact Day of Service’
On Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023, the Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, held a Food and Clothing Drive at the Bill Daniels Veterans Services Center to benefit Volunteers of America’s (VOA) Homeless and Women’s Veterans Programs. This was in conjunction with The Links, Incorporated’s “National Impact Day of Service” honoring veterans.
The Denver Links donated and stocked the shelves of the Services Center’s food pantry with dry and non-perishable foods, facial tissues, face masks, hand sanitizers and hand warmers to be distributed to veterans experiencing homelessness in Denver. Chapter members also collected and sorted a variety of warm winter clothing including shirts, pants, hats, scarves, gloves, coats, socks, and underwear for unhoused women, men and their children.
Clothing and food donations were given to the Clermont Commons transitional housing for veterans experiencing homelessness and their children. The Denver (CO) Chapter also provided board games, puzzles, books, hygiene, and incontinence products to Sinton Sanctuary, which is a VOA shelter for women experiencing homelessness who are 62 years and older.
Over 2,100 items were donated on behalf and in honor of veterans and forty-one volunteers participated in the service project. This included chapter and alumna members, their children, Girl Fierce participants, Girl Fierce parents, a spouse, and a friend.
Denver Links promote friendship through service to community
For more than seventy years, Black professional women who make up Denver's chapter of The Links, Incorporated have joined together in service and friendship to make a difference in the metro Denver community.
As one of the nation's oldest service organizations, it's evolved to meet the needs of the day for African Americans, since the aftermath of World War 2.
"What advice would you give to your younger self?" asked Denver Chapter Programs Director Gaye Woods on a recent Saturday morning.
Black Women Philanthropists Making “Herstory”
Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Inc. advances work of The Center for African American Health with a historic investment.
In recognition of Women’s History month, the Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, is making ‘herstory’ with its largest donation to date - a $100,000 gift to the Center for African American Health’s (CAA Health) capital campaign. The investment represents a collective giving model, which is fueled by a long-standing tradition in the African American community that has historically and culturally played an important role in reinforcing the financial stability and sustainability of Black institutions.
“The significance of this Legacy gift from the collective efforts of the Denver Chapter of The Links is so much more than the six-figure investment,” said Deidre Johnson, Executive Director for the Center for African Health. “It sets an example, and issues an invitation, encouraging others - individuals and organizations - to also make a contribution to our work and in the programs of other African American institutional anchors in our community.”
The initial investment from the Denver Chapter of $25,000 more than tripled when members steadily followed with additional, individual donations. This effort marks CAA Health’s first contribution from an African American led organization in support of the capital campaign.
“As African American women, we recognize and embrace our social and civic responsibilities in transforming our communities and elevating the voices of Black women,” said Denver Links’ Immediate Past President and Founder of Black Resilience in Colorado Fund, LaDawn Sullivan. “As we look to dismantle systems of oppression, we lean in, go above and beyond, and invest collectively and strategically. We are led by the voices of African Americans in our community.”
The Links’ donation to the capital campaign will further cement the foundation of CAA Health’s physical space and will provide the opportunity for the organization to own the facility. CAA Health serves as a Family Resource Center working to aid multi-generational community members with select direct health services, including mental health, access to health coverage, and patient advocacy. Since the beginning of the pandemic, CAA Health has demonstrated its ability to be nimble and serve the needs of the community through COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, food distribution, crisis counseling and more. Much of this work is happening just outside the building, in the parking lot in adherence to the state’s COVID parameters.
“For nearly a quarter of a century, the Center for African American Health has been a place for the Black community to gather for health resources and services,” said community advocate and long-standing Links member Tina Walls. “Now, more than ever, as we navigate the COVID-19 challenges and their intersection with racial justice, CAA Health is uniquely positioned to meet the direct needs of our community while also addressing the systemic challenges that require broader intervention.”
"Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated's investment in CAA Health demonstrates the magnitude of the chapter's commitment to the ideals of our organization and their own nearly 70-years of civic responsibility in providing for those who need them most,” said Western Area Director of The Links, Incorporated, Lorna C. Hankins. “This tremendous and historic gift goes far beyond brick and mortar and will be the example of the collective impact of women coming together with vision, purpose and a passion to ignite change and accelerate equity for years to come."
Investing in Black-led and Black-serving organizations continues to be a priority for the Denver Chapter, with deep roots in the community which dates back to 1952. The chapter is part of The Links, Incorporated, one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations that serves African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The Links, Inc. has 290 chapters totaling 16,000 members around the world.
“We see each other – meaning that we understand our role as Black women in narrowing the divide of racial inequities to ensure better outcomes for ourselves, our families and our communities,” shared Jada Dixon, Denver Chapter President. “From bolstering better results in education to addressing health disparities, our consistent and coordinated investment of money, time, talent and testimony illustrates the impact and power of our collective and most importantly our efforts are led by the voices of the African Americans in our community.”
Denver Links Provide Financial Support for Organizations Serving the Community During
COVID-19 Pandemic
The Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and individual chapter members provided financial contributions to organizations in our community that are addressing critical needs during this pandemic.
The Center for African American Health (CAA Health) is committed to improving the health and well-being of African Americans in Metro Denver by offering community-based, evidenced-based, disease prevention and disease management programs, events, and services. As the Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Inc. we applaud the Center’s work as a Family Resource Center and its important role in empowering the community to live well.
The Center for Trauma and Resilience, formerly known as the Denver Center for Crime Victims, provides culturally and linguistically responsive services to crime victims who have been ignored or underserved because of their income, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, ability or sexual orientation. As a chapter we support their efforts to fill the gaps in services and create services where the need exists.
The Montbello Organizing Committee (MOC) helps meet the food insecurity needs of families during the coronavirus pandemic. The Denver (CO) Chapter recognizes the good work of MOC and their commitment to ensure that the residents of Montbello are healthy in mind, body, and spirit; they are safe and self-reliant, and mechanisms of communicating information and opportunity exist.
The donations to the Center for African American Health and the Center for Trauma and Resilience were made possible through the Western Area of The Links, Incorporated's $60,000 COVID-19 Collective Impact Fund which was established to support programs and services that respond to the critical needs of communities, families, students and businesses throughout the Area's ten states who are severely impacted by COVID-19.