DEI Advisory Council

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council is committed to the continual transformation of The Children’s Guild and its affiliates into one that promotes social justice, freedom from oppression, and embraces the diverse representation within the agency and the communities we serve. 

Conversations on racism and other types of discrimination are hot topics within our society and at The Children’s Guild. The heightened attention has revitalized The Guild’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Council.

“We are in a place in our history where DEI components are critical to an organization,” says Rae Meneses, compliance coordinator and new chair of the DEI Advisory Council. “Our families want to know that we have expertise with the populations with whom we are working.”

The Guild has always valued diversity, but this year there has been an awakening of awareness. The executive leadership team has seized this opportunity to expand DEI efforts and nominated staff from across the organization to participate in the DEI Advisory Council and its subcommittees.

“As the definition of diversity expands to encompass race, ethnicity, gender, and the LGBTQIA+ community, it is important to recognize the intersection of these identities in the workplace and the communities we serve,” explains Meneses.

The DEI Advisory Council meets every two weeks to discuss different action items and deliverables. “Initially our goal was rapport building and establishing trust,” says Meneses. “As we progressed, we developed a plan and goals with measurable objectives. It is vital that the DEI Advisory Council play a permanent role at The Guild and not be a temporary fix.”

Increasing the representation of people from various backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and making space for their voices, will be a priority at The Guild for years to come.

For more information, questions, kudos or concerns please email: [email protected].

The Senior and Advisory Leadership’s Diversity and Inclusion Vision & Values Statement

Diversity in its many dimensions—including ethnicity, nationality, citizenship status, race, culture, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability and socioeconomic background—enriches our world.

In our work we embrace diversity, affirm identities and advocate for social justice, supporting those we partner with to experience full inclusion, as well as to be self-determining and flourishing in their various identities.

The Children’s Guild is committed to developing a diverse Senior Leadership, Advisory Leadership, and staff whose characteristics reflect the rich diversity of those families and children that we serve.

The Children’s Guild Senior and Advisory Leadership will continually strive to be an organization where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are core values which drive decision-making, resource allocation, and all policies and practices. We embrace our work regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion with confidence, courage, hope, and humility, as we know it requires a sustained commitment.  The Senior and Advisory Leadership believes that diversity enhances and enriches our world; and encourages the development of a DEI staff leadership whose characteristics reflect the rich tapestry of cultures/backgrounds/individuals of those families and children that we serve.  