Inclusiveness Cabinet

United Way of Allen County is working to alleviate racism and build partnerships where diversity is valued.

To accomplish this goal, United Way established the Inclusivenss Cabinet. The cabinet looks to help foster a safe environment for diverse groups of people do discuss racism and differences and also looks to involve a wide variety of individuals in the non-profit arena.

Here is a brief description of the activities overseen by the Inclusiveness 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.

Standards for Agency Partners.  The Inclusiveness Cabinet is charged with overseeing an inclusiveness plan for United Way and its 37 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 United Way of Allen County.

Diversity Training for United Way agency partners positions the organization 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 refugees 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.

For more information on United Way's inclusiveness efforts, contact us at (260) 422-4776.