Policies

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

General Overview: United Way of the Southern Alleghenies (UWSA) is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion and to ensuring equitable treatment to all members of our community. Our community was once the site of one of the biggest civil rights injustices in Pennsylvania. In 1923, in response to the fatal shooting of four policemen, the mayor of Johnstown ordered every African American and Mexican immigrant who had lived in the city for less than seven years to leave.

 

They were given less than a day to move, risking fines or jail time, should they not act swiftly. Many were forced out at gunpoint. An estimated two thousand people uprooted their lives in response to the racist edict. Area Ku Klux Klan members celebrated the creation of a "sundown town" and increased their own intimidation practices to enforce further segregation. The incident, while often downplayed in Johnstown’s history, stunted the advancement of people of color in the decades to come. We value the perspective and collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talents of our employees and neighbors to advance our mission and to advocate for the well-being of every person across the region. Our communities are more vibrant when all members have a voice and are encouraged to contribute.

 

Together, we solve community problems and strive for equity in all solutions. We embrace diversity and inclusion, and are committed to our collective impact as collaborators and stakeholders. We reaffirm this commitment through our policies which guide and direct our employment practices, program funding, volunteer recruitment, and service delivery. Moreover, we seek to improve health and educational equity by recognizing and mitigating systems, institutional practices of discrimination, and policies that reinforce structural racism. We work to address the root causes and contributing factors that create or perpetuate inequities. Purpose: Policy Title: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy Policy Amended Date: 4/12/2022. The purpose of the UWSA’s Diversity and Inclusion policy is to provide equal opportunity to all our employees and those we serve without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, family or marital status, sexual orientation, disability, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or other protected status covered by local, state, or federal law.

 

The United Way promotes the full realization of this policy through the positive recognition of the value of diversity. Discrimination or harassment on the basis of these factors will not be tolerated. All representatives of the UWSA are charged with the responsibility of preventing or eliminating such abuses should they be found to exist. Scope: This policy applies to all employees, officers, directors, volunteers, donors, vendors, agency representatives, consultants, agents or any other persons affiliated with the United Way of Southern Alleghenies (collectively referred to as “representatives”). Content/Policy: The UWSA’s diversity initiatives are applicable, but not limited to our program funding, volunteer recruitment, service delivery, and employment practices, such as recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; social and recreational programs; layoffs; terminations; and the ongoing development of a work environment built on the premise of gender and diversity equity that encourages and enforces respectful communication and cooperation among all of our representatives as well as among the members of those we serve in our community. Only bona fide job‐related requirements and procedures are to be used with regard to recruitment, employment, promotion, transfer and discipline (including termination of employment), compensation, benefits, job assignments, benefits, demotion, layoff, training and educational programs. All representatives of the UWSA have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect at all times. All employees are expected to exhibit conduct that reflects inclusion during work, at work functions on or off the work site, and at all other UWSA sponsored and participative events.

 

Any employee found to have exhibited any inappropriate conduct or behavior against others may be subject to disciplinary action. Additionally, we expect everyone at UWSA to value, welcome, and encourage inclusion, as well as input, from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Investigation and Response Anyone who has questions regarding this policy or who believes that they have been subjected to any kind of discrimination that conflicts with the UWSA’s diversity policy and initiatives should seek assistance from the CEO and President of the UWSA, the UWSA Board Chair, or the Human Resource Chair, who will conduct an investigation. Opposing Racism in the Community * When it comes to defeating racism and prejudice, there isn't just one right way to make a difference, there are many. We can each take simple actions that make a difference.

 

• Be aware of your own bias. It is important to be aware of our own prejudices so we can choose new thought patterns and actions.

• Educate yourself. Expand your world view to better understand this difficult and persistent problem.

• Be a witness. If you ever see a person in a position of power mistreating someone, stay and be a witness. You have a right to film law enforcement or other officials if necessary. Staying with someone who may be marginalized enables you to help advocate for them.

• Talk to children and youth about racism. We need to openly talk about racism with the children in our lives so they learn the values of fairness and equality.

• Speak up when you hear something hurtful. It's always hard to know the appropriate thing to say in the moment, but all we need is the courage to say "That doesn't seem right" and start the conversation.

• Tell elected officials we care. Email or pick up the phone to let those who make decisions for our community and nation know that we care about racial justice and are paying attention to their action or inaction. Participate in local action/advocacy days.

• Invite and hear the other perspectives. Look for underrepresented voices in your work and community life. Ask who isn’t at the table and figure out how to get them there.

• Connect with community groups that work to eliminate racism. Cambria County has active chapters of the YWCA and NAACP. Somerset County has a local group, Humans Organizing in Pursuit of Equity (HOPE). All offer resources, training, and conversations that move our communities closer to equity. Annually, the YWCA hosts a signing event “Take the Pledge Against Racism.”