DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

DIVERSITY. EQUITY.
INCLUSION.

MISSION

The mission of the United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties (UWCCMC) is to increase the organized capacity for people to care for one another. Equity and justice are at the heart of our mission. Together with our stakeholders, we work actively and collaboratively to ensure opportunities and non-discriminatory access to education, health and financial stability for every person in Clark, Champaign and Madison Counties.

Our motto #LIVEUNITED, requires us to be courageous and unceasingly work to end disparities that keep certain segments of our community from achieving opportunities for a better life. It means mobilizing the caring power of community to lift those most in need and create communities where no one experiences barriers to living healthy, thriving lives. It is only through continued intentional, united action that we create change, make sustained progress and elevate all voices in our communities. We believe that every individual in our community provides valuable experience, perspective and insight.

UWCCMC recognizes that structural racism and other forms of oppression have contributed to persistent disparities which we seek to dismantle. We strive to engage community members, especially those whose voices have traditionally been marginalized. UWCCMC works with residents, public and private partners to co-create solutions that ensure everyone has the resources, support, opportunities and networks they need to thrive. We commit to leveraging all of our assets (convening, strategic investments, awareness building, advocacy) to create more equitable communities.

Diversity, equity and inclusion is a mission-critical piece of our culture, and without those pieces, it would be impossible to fight inequality in our communities. Diversity, equity and inclusion means many things to many people. Utilizing Dr. Clyde Pickett’s Introductory Definitions for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, to the United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties:

DIVERSITY

Diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It is understanding that each individual is unique, and our individual differences need to be recognized. It is the representation of all our varied identities and differences (race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, tribe, caste, socio-economic status, thinking and communication styles, etc.), collectively and as individuals. We seek to proactively engage, understand, and draw on a variety of perspectives. We believe that the solution to the problems we hope to address through the work of United Way (including grant making) can be found by affirming our similarities, as well as by finding value in our differences.

EQUITY

Equity is the proportional distribution of desirable outcomes across groups. Sometimes confused with equality, equity refers to outcomes while equality connotes equal treatment. More directly, equity is when an individual’s race, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, etc. do not determine their educational, economic, social, or political opportunities.

INCLUSION

Inclusion builds a culture of belonging by actively inviting the contribution and participation of all people. We believe every person’s voice adds value, and we strive to create balance in the face of power differences. We believe that no one person can or should be called upon to represent an entire community.

WE WILL:

The Board of Directors, staff and volunteers of UWCCMC pledge to be a leader in the fight for equity through the following

actions:

Diversity, equity and inclusion are core and abiding values that are reflected in policy, program and practice.

Value and embrace differences in race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, religion, gender, disability, nationality, age, sexual orientation and viewpoints as a critical component to serving the needs of our communities.
Support policy and funding decisions that strive for social justice, equity and equal opportunity.
Continue to assess the systemic gaps that create iniquity and engage in public awareness, advocacy, and program implementation to close those gaps.
Allocate resources to help those most adversely challenged within low-income communities.
Be inclusive of the immigrant population to support equal access to services and resources.

Support organizations that have adopted diversity, equity and inclusion policies and practices.
Cultivate and strengthen relationships by inviting a broad representation of community, business and faith organizations to increase their involvement with us.