JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING
Racial Justice Solidarity Statement
Adopted by the Board of Directors on March 31, 2022.
Our vision and mission reflect our fundamental belief that all people deserve inclusivity, fairness, and justice. We believe that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to a strong community where all our neighbors share in the common good.
We believe that everyone holds visible and invisible qualities that make them unique, including age, race, color, ability, religion, socioeconomic status, national origin, sexuality, and other identities, as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs.
We recognize that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership. We oppose such racial and ethnic discrimination, and we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of our work so that everyone has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive.
The United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region commits itself to the following:
Collaborating and building bridges by identifying, listening to, and lifting up leadership, especially in under-represented groups.
Investing in a stronger community by being more accountable to, and better supporting, under-represented communities and their organizations.
Raising DEI awareness with our partner agencies, donors, partner corporations, and the community.
Constantly reassessing social issues and the role we play in helping improve them. Social issues are complex--often deeply embedded in our institutions and culture--and our understanding evolves. Our sustained and deepening work around DEI is vital to our roles as partner, funder, collaborator, and advocate.
Holding up a mirror through self-evaluation and education about DEI issues. We commit to using DEI tools developed and implemented by the national United Way, ensuring accountability as we evaluate our progress towards relevant goals and objectives.
Holding ourselves accountable by developing and following DEI plans that includes board and staff training and includes measurable goals and objectives based on our results using the national United Way DEI assessment tool.
Being Transparent by communicating honestly with our partner agencies, donors, partner corporations, and the community about our DEI journey, and continuing to learn and do better.
United Way Worldwide
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement of Principle
We take the broadest possible view of diversity.
We value the visible and invisible qualities that make you who you are.
We welcome that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance our mission and progress our fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.
We believe that each United Way community member, donor, volunteer, advocate, and employee must have equal access to solving community problems.
We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work.
We commit to using these practices for our business and our communities.
Join us in embracing diversity, equity and inclusion for every person in every community.
We fight for every person in our communities
United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region constantly reassesses social issues and the role we play in helping improve them. They are complex--often old and deeply imbedded in our institutions--and our understanding changes over time. To remain a most relevant partner, funder, collaborator, and advocate we must keep up. Vital to this evolving role is our deepening work around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
More than 125 years ago, the diverse community leaders who founded United Way crossed cultural, religious, and economic boundaries to make a difference through collective action. Today, diversity, equity, and inclusion remain vital to achieving our mission, living our values and advancing the common good.