United Way of Allen County has received a major national award from United Way of America. The Championing Diversity Award recognizes UWAC's efforts in the areas of diversity and is the only award of its kind given to the more than 1,400 local United Ways nationwide.
UWAC received the honor before nearly 1,800 visitors at United Way's national Community Leaders Conference Saturday, April 27 in Indianapolis.
"This recognition is a testament to all the good things that are taking place in this community. Not only from our own volunteers, but from our partner organizations as well," said Marc Levy, United Way of Allen County president and CEO. "To be the only United Way in the nation to receive this award is quite an accomplishment."
In vying for the honor, the local United Way was chosen over much larger Untied Ways, including Houston, Miami and Los Angeles. UWAC was selected, in part, because of its volunteer force and innovative programs. "We commend United Way of Allen County for its holistic approach to diversity awareness, management, and focused action," said Brian A. Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way of America. "Through a variety of programs, this United Way has demonstrated a true commitment to diversity that serves as a positive model for others."
United Way of Allen County has fostered an increasingly diverse environment as well as a system characterized by inclusiveness of all sectors in the community, Gallagher noted. "The ideology is included in its mission that states how it will take a leadership role in the elimination of racism and other barriers to participation; and that United Way will become a model of how diversity works."
UWAC's Board of Directors established the Task Force to Undo Racism and Overcome Barriers in 1995 as part of the organization's reinventon process. In identifying critical areas of change, the first was to bring the diversity of the community together. "The board decided the Task Force was the first place to start in regards to addressing diversity," Levy said.
Since then, hundreds of Allen County residents have participated in the many activities through the Task Force, which serves as the umbrella committee to the five initiatives currently in place. "Through these diversity initiatives, we've implemented Project Blueprint, which increases the number of minorities and women on non-profit boards; Diversity Training for our board and staff; the Inclusiveness Committee, which has overseen the development of inclusiveness plans for United Way and its 41 agency partners; and the Diversity Council to ensure our agency partners are reaching their diversity goals," Levy said. "We then decided to take it to the next level four years ago and partner with other organizations when we established the Study Circles racial dialogue groups."
Since 1998, nearly 800 people have taken part in Study Circles, including members of the Fort Wayne Police Department, local high schools and churches. Study Circles are discussion groups of people from different backgrounds who share the stories of their experience and learn how attitudes about race affect us all.
"The City of Fort Wayne is proud that our United Way is being acknowledged for its commitment and dedication to diversity," Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard said. "Many organizations have come together to help United Way celebrate the diversity that exists in Fort Wayne. They should all be commended for representing us so well on a national level."
"When we began the Task Force we never envisioned the level of success we would be enjoying today. We were just hoping to make a difference in the community. Being recognized like this is beyond our wildest dreams," said Frances Ganaway, Task Force chair. "One of our United Way's top priorities is to ensure equality for all citizens, and I think we're well on our way to reaching that goal. There is still more to be done but we are on the right path."
United Way of America's Board of Governors established the Championing Diversity Award in 1996 to recognize United Ways that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to diversity. This award comes on the heels of the Best Practices award United Way of Allen County received in 1999. That honor - also presented by United Way of America - was given to three local UW's in recognition of specific activities related to diversity.