Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
The YMCA of South Hampton Roads is on an important journey to strengthen our position as an equitable and inclusive organization that both reflects and creates belonging in the communities we serve.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
The YMCA of South Hampton Roads is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in every community we serve. As with everything we do, we are guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith—values that compel us to recognize the value of every person and to be an anti-racist, multicultural, and inclusive organization.
Understanding the many factors that make up and influence a person’s individuality, we will listen, learn and act to dismantle racism and advance equity at the individual, organizational, and societal level, holding ourselves accountable to work towards a time when everyone in our community has equitable access to opportunities to thrive.
The Y is FOR ALL—where trust, social bonding and healing are created. Where diversity, character formation, mental wellness, and equity are operational cornerstones. The Y is where EVERYONE BELONGS.
Learn more about the dimensions of diversity.
Advancing Equity in our Community
Health Equity Campuses
The Y provides health equity campuses for our communities, focusing on increasing access to healthy food, increasing access to whole person and mental health care, and breaking the cycle of poverty. The following locations are health equity campuses:
Currituck Family YMCA
Effingham Street Family YMCA
Greenbrier Family YMCA
James L. Camp Family YMCA
Taylor Bend Family YMCA
YMCA on Granby
Leadership Development
Serving our rapidly changing communities requires culturally competent staff and volunteers, who reflect the community, understand and embrace all dimensions of diversity, and consider the larger world when addressing local issues. Here's how we're starting:
Employee Resource Groups
Professional Development
Ongoing Training
Equity Innovation Center (Concept)
The Equity Innovation Center will be a shared space designed to help reverse institutional racism and create more equitable communities. The Y will work with partners and individuals to give community members the opportunity to learn, lead, organize, advocate, meaningfully connect, and enact change.
Military Support
The YMCA values the service and sacrifice of the men and women of our nation’s armed forces, and has always counted it an honor to contribute to their health and wellbeing.
Areas of Focus
In planning the initiatives shared above, we've identified six areas where an intentional focus on diversity, equity and inclusion will help ensure that everyone has access and can thrive.
Leadership Development | Collaborations
Resource Mobilization | Member Engagement
Program Innovation | Brand & Visibility