Embracing Equity & Inclusion
We recognize the need to better represent the communities we serve across all levels—board, leadership, staff, and volunteers. We are dedicated to creating an environment where every voice is heard, and every person feels valued because hate has no home in our Village
Together, We Are the Village
We envision a community where every individual feels seen, heard, valued, and understood—where each person knows they belong. We are committed to fostering an environment that reflects the rich diversity of the families we serve, ensuring all people, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or ability, have an equal voice and place in our work. Our mission is clear: to create a village where diversity strengthens our capacity, equity creates opportunities, and inclusion fosters a sense of belonging for every family in our community.
We acknowledge that we are not as far along in this journey as we would like to be. While we have made strides in building a more inclusive organization, we know there is still much more work to do. Building a truly inclusive community demands time, commitment, and change. This means embracing discomfort, questioning our assumptions, and being open to new ideas and perspectives. We will challenge ourselves to do better every day, ensuring our programs are accessible and relevant to everyone we serve. We are dedicated to learning from our families, volunteers, community members, and our partners, knowing that meaningful progress comes from active listening and genuine collaboration.
Our team is committed to doing the hard work necessary to transform our practices and our culture. This involves more than just words. We will hold ourselves accountable by setting measurable goals, seeking feedback, and remaining transparent about our efforts.
At It Takes a Village, we are motivated by a sense of urgency and purpose. We believe that a truly inclusive community is one where every family feels that they have a place here and no one is left behind. We are determined to lead with empathy, create a space for all voices, and build a village where diversity is our strength, equity is our goal, and inclusion is our standard. Together, we can cultivate a community where everyone thrives
Action Steps
In January of 2024, our leadership team participated in strategic planning sessions with a focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) to improve how we respectfully and inclusively serve our clients. Through this process, we identified three key areas to advance our DEIB goals:
DEIB Training:
Engage an external consultant to provide comprehensive training for our team on cultural competencies, microaggressions/affirmations, and implicit bias. This training will provide our team with the skills and knowledge we need to create a more inclusive and affirming environment for all families.
Outcomes: Increased cultural awareness and sensitivity among staff, improved client interactions, and a more inclusive organizational culture.
Diversity Advisory Council:
Establish a diversity advisory council to guide and review our practices, policies, and recruitment strategies. This council will evaluate how effectively our programs reach and serve families from diverse backgrounds, ensuring our efforts are effective and equitable. A primary focus will be ensuring that our Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the families we serve. We are committed to amplifying all voices at the table, fostering an environment where leadership and decision-making are informed by a broad range of perspectives.
Outcomes: More inclusive recruitment and retention practices, a leadership structure that better represents our community, and a more authentic connection with underrepresented groups. By ensuring diverse voices are included at every level, from Board members to frontline staff and volunteers, we can be more responsive and relevant to the needs of our families.
Multilingual Client Support:
To better serve our diverse community, we will implement a new, portable client intake and management system that supports up to 25 languages, enabling families to access services in their primary language. We will also produce culturally appropriate printed materials in the most common languages spoken by our clients.
Outcomes: Improved client experience, enhanced communication, and a deeper sense of respect and value felt by the families we serve. These initiatives represent the first steps in our journey to build a more inclusive and equitable organization that meets the diverse needs of our growing community.
Though we are just beginning, we are committed to continuous growth and learning. By focusing on these priorities, we strive to fulfill our mission to be the “village” that every family deserves. We are dedicated to ensuring that all voices are heard, respected, valued, and included along the way. We invite you to join us in these efforts as we work to make our Village a welcoming place that all families want to be a part of.