Diversity and inclusion - a response
The December issue of our Community M@tters e-zine highlights a recent event tied to our organization’s diversity and inclusion work. The team leading that mission organized the session to provide staff an opportunity to learn more about the region’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender -- or LGBT -- community.
Leslie Ann Thompson, executive director at Affirmations Gay and Lesbian Community Center, and Charles Pugh, FOX2 News anchor and reporter were the featured speakers.
During her presentation, Leslie mentioned the fact that project management and capital support provided through United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Community Capital Resources department helped make Affirmations’ new 17,000 square-foot headquarters in Ferndale a reality.
At least one reader took issue with our support of the Affirmations project.
Community Capital Resources helps nonprofits plan and manage facility projects that will enable them to better serve the community, and Affirmations provides much-needed services to individuals and families in Oakland County.
In addition, it is important to United Way that we understand the LGBT community to strengthen our diversity work. We have spent considerable time over the past year developing a strategic plan and participating in cultural awareness activities as a staff. When complete, the plan will help United Way ensure diversity is a prominent component of internal and external operations, and that we are inclusive of everyone, regardless of race, culture, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical ability or other characteristics.
Embracing diversity is about understanding the ways we are all alike and respecting the many ways that we are different. To be inclusive is to make a concerted effort to involve all people in what we do. This is what we believe, and how we aspire to better serve everyone in the tri-county area.
United Way will always be in the business of supporting basic needs in our region, so that people who need help have a place to turn. This diversity and inclusion work will ultimately allow us to serve more people in need of assistance.
The LGBT discussion and other diversity activities that inform our thinking are vital to the process.
Leslie Ann Thompson, executive director at Affirmations Gay and Lesbian Community Center, and Charles Pugh, FOX2 News anchor and reporter were the featured speakers.
During her presentation, Leslie mentioned the fact that project management and capital support provided through United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Community Capital Resources department helped make Affirmations’ new 17,000 square-foot headquarters in Ferndale a reality.
At least one reader took issue with our support of the Affirmations project.
“With issues like homeless, rampant poverty, and crime--which erode basic and essential quality of life--why is the United Way funding projects such as the LGBT issues project? Discrimination against any group is an issue that deserves attention if it is seriously impacting the basic quality of life of a significant part of the population. However, considering the sheer number of issues, why is LGBT ‘inclusion’ a priority for UWSEM?” the post reads, in part.
Community Capital Resources helps nonprofits plan and manage facility projects that will enable them to better serve the community, and Affirmations provides much-needed services to individuals and families in Oakland County.
In addition, it is important to United Way that we understand the LGBT community to strengthen our diversity work. We have spent considerable time over the past year developing a strategic plan and participating in cultural awareness activities as a staff. When complete, the plan will help United Way ensure diversity is a prominent component of internal and external operations, and that we are inclusive of everyone, regardless of race, culture, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical ability or other characteristics.
Embracing diversity is about understanding the ways we are all alike and respecting the many ways that we are different. To be inclusive is to make a concerted effort to involve all people in what we do. This is what we believe, and how we aspire to better serve everyone in the tri-county area.
United Way will always be in the business of supporting basic needs in our region, so that people who need help have a place to turn. This diversity and inclusion work will ultimately allow us to serve more people in need of assistance.
The LGBT discussion and other diversity activities that inform our thinking are vital to the process.
Labels: Diversity, Window on Community
posted by UWSEM webmaster at
4:44 PM
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