two thumbprints overlay each other to form a heart with the description for a united us, in rainbow and skin tones palette

You BELONG Here

The YMCA of Greater Richmond is committed to strengthening the foundations of community by prioritizing and advancing equity.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AT THE Y

OUR COMMITMENT

The Y's MISSION is reflected by the core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. These values inspire and compel us to ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential and be their authentic selves in all aspects of diversity including ability, age, cultural background, economic status, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, language, national origin, political view, race or sexual orientation.

Together, we celebrate strong inclusive communities.  FOR ALL.

OUR GOAL

To create an environment in which members, staff and other stakeholders experience an organization rich with multicultural inclusivity, the promotion of equity across all walks of life and a genuine sense of belonging FOR ALL, with intentional focus on underrepresented and historically marginalized communities.

WE BELIEVE

Access, inclusion and engagement helps to ensure the Y’s continued relevancy, viability and impact as a cause-driven organization focused on strengthening community.

Download the DEI Strategic Plan

DEI CC

June: Advancing DEI Community Conversation Part 2: The Role and Responsibility of Board Volunteers & CEOs

Date: June 6 2024

Time: 11:00 a.m. -1:30pm 

Location: Village Green RVA, 1501 S Providence Rd 23236 

In partnership with Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR), join us as we discuss the critically important, yet often overshadowed, role and responsibility of board volunteers, CEOs and Executive Directors in effectively advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in organizations and the community.

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Previous conversations:

March: DEI and the Employee Experience

The first Community Conversation was  moderated by Jonathan Zur of VCIC to discuss the employee experience related to DEl and Belonging in our region. Following this conversation, Shanza Isom of BeWell: Self-Care & Holistic Life Balance led attendees through a Centering Moment.

Jonathan Zur's Slides

Shanza Isom's Slides

Experience Survey Responses

 

Employee Resource Groups

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause and ensuring access, inclusion and engagement is fundamental for all.  We are committed to recognizing and embracing all dimensions of diversity to better serve our neighbors.  Employee Resources Groups, or ERGs, are all about community.  ERGs help build community within the Y and connect the Y to the communities that we aim to serve.  ERG work is strengthened by our foundational cornerstones:

Staff and Volunteer Leadership Development

ERGs work to ensure leaders are reflective of and trusted within the communities they serve and provide guidance to ensure diversity at all levels of leadership.  ERGs support recruitment and retention efforts that are inclusive of all dimensions of diversity.

Community Engagement

ERGs support the organization's knowledge building and strategic engagement aimed at meeting diverse community needs, addressing demographic shifts, and strengthening communities.  ERGs advise the Y's advancement of diversity and inclusion through policies, brand, governance and operational practices.

Building Bridges Between Communities

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ERGs serve as a space for people to learn and better understand one another to create inclusive spaces and strengthen communities.  The Y sees the ERGs as bridge builders between individuals, groups and communities.The YMCA of Greater Richmond currently supports 6 Employee Resource Groups:

  • African-American Employee Resource Group
  • Disability Community Employee Resource Group
  • Emerging Leaders Employee Resource Group
  • Hispanic/Latino Leaders Employee Resource Group
  • LGBTQ Employee Resource Group
  • Women's Leadership Network Employee Resource Group

Each ERG is led by a steering committee made up of full-time Y staff and supported by an Executive Sponsor from our Association Leadership Team.  ERGs host programs, activities and discussions created to help all YMCA staff connect, learn and grow.