Bridgeways Statement on Systemic Racism and Inequity

BLACK LIVES MATTER.

We stand against racism.  We stand in solidarity with our Black employees, partners, service recipients and the entire Black community.  We are outraged by the injustice and violence perpetrated toward Black individuals and communities.

We are looking within and educating ourselves to increase our level of awareness of our own shortcomings.  We are committed to listening, learning and supporting.  We will work to improve and become active participants in undoing institutionalized racism within our agency and here in our community.   We must strive to do better. 

We know this statement is just a start.  We are now focusing on our actions.  These are our initial thoughts and we know that our next steps and strategy will come with the guidance and experience of those within our agency and from voices reflecting the community we serve.

1. We will form an internal committee to determine the greatest needs in our communities.  We will leverage our existing supported employment, supported housing and jail diversion programs to increase our impact
2. We will form a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, engaging leadership, clinical and manufacturing staff, to establish concrete plans to address internal inequities at Bridgeways and actions we can take to improve.  We will incorporate reporting guidelines to ensure that we maintain our commitments and transparency.  
3. We will examine our current education and training and strengthen it to include diversity, equity and inclusion training for all staff. 

We will continue to work with our team, communities and partners to address longstanding systemic issues, to promote equity that enables opportunity for all. 

In the weeks and months ahead, we’ll continue to listen and learn to better understand how we can be a partner, an ally and meaningfully engage in anti-racist change.