Together, We Are the Village: Embracing Equity & Inclusion
We envision a community where every individual feels seen, heard, valued, and understood – and where each child 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, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or ability, have an equal voice and place in our work. Our commitment 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
You Belong Here
We acknowledge that we are not as far along in this journey as we would like to be. We have made strides in building a more inclusive organization, but we know there is still much more work to do. Building a truly inclusive community demands time, commitment, and change – embracing discomfort, questioning our assumptions, and being open to new ideas and perspectives.
We 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 partners, knowing that meaningful progress comes from active listening and genuine collaboration.
Our team promises to do the hard work necessary to transform our practices and culture. This involves more than just words—we hold ourselves accountable by setting measurable goals, seeking feedback, and remaining transparent about our efforts.
Our Progress
In January 2024, our leadership team participated in strategic planning sessions focused on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) to improve how we respectfully and inclusively serve our families. We identified three key areas to advance our DEIB goals:
Multilingual Client Support ✓
We implemented a new portable client intake and management system that supports up to 25 languages, enabling families to access services in their primary language. We have also hired bilingual staff members and are producing culturally appropriate printed materials in the most common languages spoken by our clients.
Impact: Improved client experience, enhanced communication, and a deeper sense of respect and value felt by the families we serve.
Diversity Advisory Council (In Progress)
We established a Diversity Advisory Council to guide and review our practices, policies, and recruitment strategies. This council evaluates how effectively our programs reach and serve families from diverse backgrounds, ensuring our efforts are effective and equitable. We are actively seeking additional council members to ensure diverse voices are included at every level of our organization – from Board members to frontline staff and volunteers.
A primary focus is ensuring that our leadership and decision-making are informed by a broad range of perspectives, making us more responsive and relevant to the needs of our families.
Impact: More inclusive recruitment and retention practices, a leadership structure that better represents our community, and more authentic connections with underrepresented groups.
DEIB Training (Upcoming)
We are engaging an external consultant to provide comprehensive training for our team on cultural competencies, microaggressions/affirmations, and implicit bias. This training will equip our team with the skills and knowledge needed to create a more inclusive and affirming environment for all families.
Expected outcomes: Increased cultural awareness and sensitivity among staff, improved client interactions, and a more inclusive organizational culture.
Join Us
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.
Though we are just beginning, we are committed to continuous growth and learning. We are determined to lead with empathy, create space for all voices, and build a village where diversity is our strength, equity is our goal, and inclusion is our standard.
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.