The San Jose Chapter of the Links Incorporated – Desserts for Charity 2023

President of The San Jose Chapter of the Links Incorporated Yvonne Waldron-Robinson with NDS Executive Director Colsaria Henderson

Supporter Spotlight: The San Jose Chapter of the Links Incorporated

“Desserts for Charity” and the multi-decade relationship between The Links, Inc, and NDS. 

In 1994, a woman named Jan White started a fundraiser where club members could come to her home and share an afternoon of desserts and entertainment. She called the events “Desserts for Charity” and, on that day, decided they would raise funds and collect donations (toiletries, personal care items, clothing, etc.) to Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence. This event began a multi-decade relationship between The San Jose Chapter of the Links Incorporated and Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence. 

The Links Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation established in 1946. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The membership comprises more than 17,000 professional women of African descent in 299 chapters in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom.

The San Jose Chapter of the Links Incorporated received its charter on June 6th, 1981, and has continued to grow and expand its service to its community. The chapter has a rich legacy of award-winning programming and best practices, as highlighted through its work with Youth, the Arts, National, and International Trends, and our Health and Human Services. They sponsor two scholarships a year for any student in need, with a particular focus on Transition Age Youth- young people aging out of foster care; they are supporting a school in Mombasa, Kenya, and are expanding their support to include the country of Jamaica.

The President of The San Jose Chapter of the Links Incorporated is Yvonne Waldron-Robinson, who, before providing her support for The Links Incorporated served on the Board of Directors for two other 501c3 organizations before serving The Links Incorporated in several capacities before being elected for a two-year Presidential term in 2021. She understands the importance of leadership and fellowshipping opportunities for professional African American women and is imminently dedicated to the work. She also values the relationship with Next Door Solutions, stating The San Jose Chapter of the Links Incorporated “is dedicated to continuing this partnership for years to come.”

The pandemic reshaped Desserts for Charity: the event didn’t happen in 2021 and was offered virtually only in 2022. Individuals have facilitated drop-off events. A special thank you goes out to the Co-chairs, Dr. Narisse Kendrick, and Norwita Willams-Powell, who have worked diligently to make the 2023 event successful.