United Way of Allen County is working to alleviate racism and build partnerships where diversity is valued.
To accomplish this goal, UWAC established the Diversity Cabinet to Undo Racism and Overcome Barriers in 1994. Willa Starks, a community volunteer, chairs the cabinet. The Diversity Cabinet, its programs and its committees have three goals:1) Eliminate the third-grade reading gap for low-achieving children.2) Create a safe environmnent for diverse groups of people to discuss racism and differences. 3) Provide services for immigrants, refugees, non-English speaking people and deaf or hearing-impaired individuals. Here is a brief description of the activities currently overseen by the Diversity Cabinet:
Project Blueprint is an interactive leadership training program to help United Way of Allen County and non-profit health and human service agencies recruit and develop a diverse group of people to serve on committees and leadership boards. Broadening participation and incorporating a range of perspectives on committees and boards provides new ideas benefiting the entire community. Since the program began in 1995, more than 125 people have graduated from the six-session program, which includes a one-year internship on a non-profit board. Click here to see information about the latest Project Blueprint graduates.
The Inclusiveness Committee is charged with developing an inclusiveness plan for United Way and its 36 agency partners and to provide assistance to those agencies in developing their internal evaluations and plans. All agencies are required to complete an inclusiveness plan to receive funding through UWAC. Tom Braun of the Diversity Cabinet chairs the Inclusiveness Committee.
Diversity Training for United Way agency partners positions UWAC as a catalyst for organizational change to eliminate barriers that would deny opportunities to people because of their race, age, gender or disability. Anti-discrimination and diversity training is also offered to United Way's employees, board and volunteers.The Multicultural Council is a planning and advocacy group open to immigrants and refugees from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds. The goals of the council are to: 1) network among immigrant and refugee communities; 2) prioritize issues that all immigrants and refuees face and develop action plans; 3) serve as advocates for change to remove barriers to inclusion; and 4) provide a centralized source of information about immigrants and refugees to other community organizations.The Diversity Cabinet also works to engage youth in efforts to promote value for diversity. Click here to see recent youth activities.In 2002, United Way of America recognized UWAC with its prestigious Championing Diversity Award. Allen County was the only local United Way -- of the more than 1,300 nationwide -- to receive this honor.
The Cabinet in July 2004 released its first-ever comprehensive Diversity Report to the Community. The information contained in the document was used at the Economic Diversity Summit in October 2005. Diversity Report to the Community -- pdf
For more information on United Way's diversity efforts or to be involved in one of the many rewarding activities, contact Tamyra Kelly, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, at (260) 422-4776.