Diversity & Inclusion

 
 
We recognize that equity is not only a moral and economic imperative for our community, but that it is central to our mission of uniting caring people to build pathways out of poverty.
 
Working Together: We are committed to joining together, believing in the potency of inclusion and building from a common bond of humanity.
 
Common Goals: We strive together to empower people to reach shared goals while summoning the grace to sustain them.
 
Recognize Complexity: We embrace complexity as cause for collaboration, accepting that our fates are inextricable.
 
Guided by Experience: We understand that to move forward we are required to understand the past, without being trapped in it; embrace the present, without being constrained by it; and look to the future, guided by the hopes and courage of others.
 
We recognize that we don’t have all the answers. We also recognize the importance of finding solutions grounded in strength, resourcefulness, and lived experiences. We prefer to be as diverse as possible and never discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or age. Rather, we value diverse cultural backgrounds, life experiences, thoughts and ideas. 
 

MSA United Way affirms its full support of all human and civil rights on all levels. We adamantly oppose discrimination, racism, bigotry, oppression, and hate, overt or otherwise.

MSA United Way's board of Directors, Leadership, Staff, and Volunteers reflect the many faces, belief systems, values, expressions, and walks of life that proudly make up our nation. We will continually strive to live according to anti-racist ideals and be a model of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. 

To value diversity is to respect and appreciate race, religion, skin color, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, physical abilities, age, parental status, work and behavioral styles and the perspectives of each individual shaped by their experiences. 

To be inclusive is to create equitable access to opportunities and resources so that all can contribute to success. It also means to leverage diversity by bringing together unique individual backgrounds to collectively and more effectively address the issues facing our communities. 

Therefore, we aim that MSA United Way's actions, strategies, and investments reflect these core values and assist us in creating racial equity structures, organizations, and communities. Along with our local partners, we share approaches to operationalizing equity in individual interactions, agencies, and the community to improve the well-being of all residents.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical components to achieving success in an ever-changing environment.  We understand and commit to our work being rooted in an anti-racist framework. Our ability to employ effective inclusion practices and make them an integral part of our business will enable MSA United Way to fulfill its mission of improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of the culturally diverse people in our community.