“It’s really easy to fall into the trap of believing that what we do is more important than what we are. Of course, it’s the opposite that’s true: What we are ultimately determines what we do!” – Fred Rogers
As is true for many these days, I have been spending time thinking about how I can better reflect in my words and actions what I believe in my heart. And like many organizations, I have also been spending time with my leadership team talking about who and what we are as an organization and how we can better reflect what we believe.
Our mission is safety, healing and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault. As we strive to provide services to all those in our community who have been traumatized by domestic abuse and sexual assault — we are asking ourselves if we are doing enough to reach those who need us. How do we make our spaces feel safe for all those who come through our doors? These are conversations we have had from time to time over the past many years — but they are even more important right now. We are committed individually and as an agency to bring more people into the conversation and to hold these ongoing conversations to ensure we come across to ALL as accepting and welcoming.
My good friend Dan Prinzing from the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights has engaged with us for discussions about diversity, inclusion and a culture of human rights. One of the many things I appreciate about Dan is his advice, which is something I believe can resonate with all of us: “It’s not that we each do the same thing, it’s that we each do something.”
With that as a framework, I ask that you consider what you can do personally during these troubling and uncertain times. For me, it has been to continue to share about the work we do at the WCA each and every day. As you think about what you can do — don’t forget that making our work possible is something — something important that you are already doing.
We are the WCA and we are here. Our doors are open. We are committed to evaluating the way we operate and improving the way we deliver services. Your support and interactions with us help make our work possible and to better serve our community we are committed to an environment of diversity and inclusion.
