Diversity Statement

Has your organization created a Diversity Statement yet? Here is ours – and let us know if we can help you develop yours.  Contact Andre Elliott at aelliott@ymcashr.org or Patti Kiger at kigerpg@evms.edu

Diversity Statement

Eastern Shore Healthy Communities envisions all residents reporting a growing, positive sense of health, well-being and self-empowerment. Its mission is to develop an accountable community, using policies, systems, and environmental change strategies to improve the health and success of all Eastern Shore of Virginia residents. We believe that our partnership, as well as our community, is nourished and strengthened by the diversity of our residents. Therefore, we commit to having a partnership that is reflective of our diverse community.

Our partnership values equity, believing that all persons have the right to full and equal access to opportunities that enable them to be healthy and enjoy well-being. We intend to improve the way that vulnerable groups are treated and understood. To do this we will challenge ourselves to continuously learn and self-reflect, recognize and influence power imbalances, and remain accountable to our mission, vision, and values, especially with regard to diversity, equity and inclusion.

We intend for our actions to serve as a model for communities, educational institutions, employer organizations, and social groups and we will actively work for our community organizations and institutions to adopt similar diversity, equity and inclusion policies and practices.