Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Amara

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Building a place where we all thrive.

At Amara we strive to create a diverse culture grounded in equity and inclusion. We recognize racism and white supremacy have and continue to foster power structures that have become embedded in white-led organizations including our own, rewarding privileged and abled persons while excluding BIPOC, persons with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ people. Our failure to acknowledge these inequities in the past means that we played a role in perpetuating the system.

 

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Our DEI initiative begins with the recognition of our place in a society that has historically and continues to uphold systemic racism—a commitment to change the system from our place within the system. We acknowledge that this begins by remedying our relationships with historically marginalized peoples

Our diversity, equity and inclusion initiative aims to build a culture where Black, Brown, Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ people hold decision-making and leadership power within our organization. Amara is committed to being a workplace where all people feel welcome and affirmed. We also recognize that building a diverse and inclusive staff is necessary for transformational change throughout the child welfare system. To achieve this, we strive to recruit from the diverse communities we support and most importantly, this also means, that we listen and engage our communities. Together, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society that values all children and families. To support our efforts, we have implemented the following: 

  • A DEI Board of Directors Committee led by Board members 
  • A staff-led DEI Council  
  • A strategic plan that centers racial equity 

 

Our Commitment

Our mission is to work together and to learn from one another in order to disrupt historical levels of oppressions and exclusions both within Amara and the broader child welfare system.

Moving forward, Amara is firmly committed to:

  • Building a staff and Board which includes meaningful representation of the diverse communities with whom we work
  • Outreach and engagement with Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities to build deeper connections and to identify barriers and opportunities to achieving racial equity
  • Training staff on inclusive communication and practice

Resources

Actions you can take as a white ally:

Tools for interrupting and reporting acts of hatred: 

Resources for kids:

Related Pages

Our Approach

Since 1921, Amara has been dedicated to meeting the needs of children and families in our community who have been impacted by foster care or adoption with a focus on those who are most impacted including Black and Indigenous children and families, low-income and LGBTQ+ communities.

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About Amara

Amara is committed to positive long-term outcomes for children and families. We promote healing, racial equity and transformation of our child welfare system into a family well-being system.

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