Equity and Inclusion
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO
The United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) is dedicated to improving the lives of the 40% of our neighbors who live in poverty or paycheck to paycheck. These are often hardworking families struggling to make ends meet and provide a better life for their children.
We recognize that institutional racism, anti-semitism, and homophobia are among the many factors that contribute to keeping families from surviving and thriving.
At UWWP we believe that WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER and that it is only by being UNITED that we can change the world for the better.
We value the visible and invisible qualities that make everyone who they are, and we welcome their unique perspective and experience as we advance our mission to improve the INCOME, EDUCATION and HEALTH of every person in our community.
As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
As such, all of us at UWWP stand in solidarity with anyone who seeks diversity, equity, inclusivity, and mutual respect. We condemn racism, anti-semitism, homophobia, and all forms of hate and we will fight for justice.
#LiveUnited
Tom Gabriel, President and CEO
United Way of Westchester and Putnam
EQUITY AND INCLUSION POLICY
Commitment Statement
The United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) – consistent with its mission to improve the INCOME, EDUCATION, and HEALTH of every person in our community – is committed to valuing diversity, promoting equitable treatment, fostering inclusivity at all levels, and eliminating discrimination in all forms. UWWP stands in solidarity with anyone who seeks diversity, equity, inclusivity, and mutual respect, and condemns racism, anti-semitism, homophobia, and all forms of hate and will fight for justice.
At UWWP we believe that WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER and that it is only by being UNITED that we can change the world for the better.
We understand that by valuing the visible and invisible qualities that make everyone who they are and welcoming their unique perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences we further advance our mission, support our communities, and strengthen our organization.
To provide authentic leadership that is informed by diversity, inclusion, and equity considerations, UWWP strives to:
- View diversity, inclusion, and equity as integral to our mission and critical to ensure the well-being of our staff and the communities we serve;
- Ensure that all employees and volunteers, irrespective of their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or gender identity, education, religion or disability, feel valued and respected;
- Acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services, and continually update and report organization progress;
- Explore potential underlying, unquestioned assumptions that interfere with inclusiveness;
- Advocate for and support board-level thinking about how systemic inequities impact our organization’s work, and how best to address that in a way that is consistent with our mission;
- Ensure that the organization’s interpretation of leadership encompasses a wide and diverse variety of skills and attributes;
- Practice and encourage transparent communication, when appropriate;
- Commit time and resources to expand more diverse leadership within our board, staff, committee, and advisory bodies;
- Lead with respect and acceptance.
