Dear Supporters,

I am honored to greet you on behalf of The Palos Verdes (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; women who are leaders in business, law, medicine, education, and in the community! In 2022 we celebrate 40 Years of Friends Transforming Communities Through Service!  Through our (5) facets: The Arts, Health & Human Services, National Trends & Services, International Trends & Services, and Services to Youth, we purposefully commit to enrich and sustain the culture and survival of African Africans and other persons of African ancestry.

In recognition of our 40th Anniversary we have launched a Giving Campaign that replaces our Legacy Luncheon this year.  The COVID pandemic caused us to reinvent our operations, and yet, we are continuing in service with increased enthusiasm and determination! WILL YOU JOIN US IN SERVICE BY MAKING A DONATION?

The Palos Verdes Links continually strive to elevate our community service while strengthening our relationships with community partners. For 40 years these partnerships have created lasting change for individuals and communities! We have expended $545K on service projects, $620K in college scholarships and over 2,000 volunteer hours annually on key initiatives:

Suicide Prevention: Promoting emotional health and engaging in suicide prevention for African American Teens and Young Adults is a special focus for 2022-23. “Send Silence Packing” is an impactful touring display provided by Active Minds that demonstrates the magnitude of this problem in our community; and effectively sends the message that help is available.  The PV Links, with partners Charles R. Drew University and Bridge Builders, will bring this exhibit to our community.  Twenty-five percent (25%) of 18–24-year-olds surveyed have seriously considered suicide (CDC 2020).

Scholarships: Over $20,000 in college scholarships are given annually to Los Angeles and South Bay high school seniors based on: academic achievement, community service, extracurricular activities, and financial need.

Links to Art: In partnership with the Palos Verdes Art Center our award-winning program brings “The Arts” to the Watts Learning Center. Through hands-on art instruction and field trips to the Los Angeles Opera, etc., this program nurtures creativity, self-esteem, intellectual growth, and cultural interest. Our efforts decrease the “art equity gap” in underserved communities.

Literacy Initiatives: Our Chapter joined 299 others to answer the 43rd National Assembly 7,500 Book Challenge by donating books to head start programs throughout the country. Closing the literacy gap means better academic performance for our youth.

Homelessness Outreach: We collaborate with SRO Housing Corporation and Harbor Interfaith Services, in Los Angeles and the South Bay, nonprofits that provide housing and services to low-income individuals and people experiencing homelessness. We provide health fairs, flu clinics, educational workshops, hygiene bags, housing essentials, and Christmas gifts to clients including Veterans and families with children. Our efforts improve the quality of life for people rebuilding their lives.

Links to the Border: We traveled to Jamaica to provide feminine hygiene kits in partnership with non-profits Days for Girls International and the I-Help Foundation.  Days for Girls distributes menstrual health solutions to those who would miss school or work during their menstrual cycle.

We partner with Christ United Methodist Ministry Center (CUMMC), San Diego, CA, and Ambassadors for Christ (AFJC) Ministry, Tijuana, MX to provide food, shelter, and necessities to immigrants legally crossing the US/MX border, and those awaiting entry. This inspires hope for a better future in the USA.

We thank you for taking the time to read about our efforts and for partnering with us in service to people locally and globally!

With Gratitude,

Julia Matthews-Manor, Ph.D.

President
Palos Verdes (CA) Chapter