Diversity and Anti-Racism Statement

United Way of Racine County affirms its full support, on all levels, to all human and civil rights. We adamantly oppose discrimination, racism, bigotry, oppression and hate, overt or otherwise because it undermines the well-being and vitality of our communities and is in direct opposition to what it means to Live United.

As an anti-racism organization, we vow to purposefully identify, discuss, and challenge all factors of inequity and the impacts they have on our organization, its systems, its people, and our community.

To value diversity is to respect and appreciate race, religion, skin color, ethnicity, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical abilities, age, parental status, work and behavioral styles and the perspectives of each individual shaped by their experiences.

To be inclusive is to create equitable access to opportunities and resources so that all can contribute to success. It also means to leverage diversity by bringing together unique individual backgrounds to collectively and more effectively address the issues facing our communities.

We recognize structural racism, ethnic discrimination and other forms of oppression have contributed to persistent disparities which United Way of Racine County seeks to dismantle. We understand that these disparities have existed in the past and persist into the present. We acknowledge that these inequities are the result of policies and practices that work to marginalize entire populations of people. United Way of Racine County is committed to working with our community to end these inequalities. To accomplish this, we know we must engage our entire community, especially those whose voices have historically been marginalized, in support of the shared work for fortifying equity and empowerment. We will continue to work with nonprofit, public and private partners to co-create solutions that ensure everyone has the resources, support, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive.

All team and board members are expected to exhibit conduct that reflects inclusion. All team and board members are provided opportunities for and strongly encouraged to complete cultural competency training to enhance their knowledge of diverse perspectives and community.

We commit to evaluate our practices, our biases, our attitudes, our investments and to be vocal on our stand against systemic racism.

Definitions

Equity: The intentional inclusion of everyone in society. Equity is achieved when systemic, institutional, and historical barriers based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities are dismantled and no longer predict socioeconomic, education and health outcomes.

Diversity: Each individual is unique, and groups of individuals reflect multiple dimensions of difference including race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, veteran-status, familial status, residency status, socioeconomic status, mental health status, or geographical representation.

Inclusion: The value and practice of creating cultures of support and belonging in which everyone’s input is valued by the whole (group, organization, society, etc.), particularly regarding decisions that affect their lives, and in which people do their best work and are respected and honored for who they are.

Racism: Prejudice which is supported by social, institutional, and economic power. Racism manifests itself on several levels, including internally through bigotry and implicit bias, institutionally through outcome disparities, and culturally through historically racist policies and practices.