When we step back to look at the big picture, and also in the daily steps we take at YWCA, we do see progress towards our mission of “eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.” That progress still doesn’t seem to have put us very close to achieving those goals, though. Our community and our country’s progress can feel like one step forward and two steps back. Part of that is that no matter how bad things were in the past, when discrimination and exclusion occur they always cause hurt and damage. So, causing relatively less harm than in the past just still doesn’t seem very good.

All this makes us think about how we as a community in Northeast Indiana can have a stronger impact.

What do we need as individuals?

• Many people in our own communities have experienced the traumas of discrimination, as well as other life challenges. We see models in our community for healing processes and places, but not everyone yet has access. How do we build out those opportunities for healing for those most impacted? Let’s grow those opportunities and connections.
• Many of us have not yet faced the ways our actions exclude others. Let’s reach out and hear stories from those experiencing challenges and look for ways to build our allyship.

What do we need as organizations?  

• YWCA Northeast Indiana has begun a process of assessment, with an outside consultant, Amy Waninger of Lead at Any Level, to evaluate our own progress. She recently shared with our supervisory team our results, showing that we are strong in passion, but we have work to do to scaffold in systems to take us to the highest levels of equity and inclusion for our own clients and staff.
• What next steps can you take where you are?  Here is one resource for helping to assess organizational practices and guidance for next steps: Anti-Racism Resource Guide 

What does our community need?  

• We’ve heard some feedback that people want more opportunities for discussion, engagement, partnership, and action. What could that look like? We are envisioning how our Diversity Dialogues next year might build on the education we’ve been sharing over the years into collaborations to support solutions more directly. Who wants to be involved?
• How can we learn from the past, bringing in lessons from Kingian Nonviolence, to help us address current needs?

We want to continue this vital work, balancing lament, hope, and action, to grow in vibrancy and connection, and we hope you will join us!

Be sure to follow us on social media so you don’t miss opportunities to come alongside us as we strive to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.