Diversity, Multiculturalism, Cultural Competency
RESOURCE is a truly multicultural organization. Over 50 percent of our program participants, 36 percent of our board members, and 34 percent of our staff are people of color from a wide range of cultures. Members of our staff are fluent in 28 languages.
A core business competency: We regard diversity as a core business competency on the same level as financial management, marketing, etc. Cultural competency is a natural part of everything we do.
Staff cultural competency: We constantly strive to be sure that all staff from whatever cultural background have the cultural competency skills they need to provide high-quality services to all program participants regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, disability status, sexual orientation, age, religion, or other characteristics.
Training: New staff receive two days of introductory undoing-racism training. In addition, the agency provides annual diversity training for all staff, and programs provide in-service training for their staffs to ensure that they continue to develop their cultural competency.
Diversity Task Force: Our diversity efforts are guided by a Diversity Task Force composed of top management and representatives from all levels, programs and locations of our organization. Each of our 50+ programs is required to create an annual diversity plan that describes the goals and strategies they are pursuing in order to further increase their cultural competency.
Partnerships: We partner with dozens of culturally specific organizations in providing services to the extremely diverse communities we serve. For instance, our chemical-health division is currently partnering with several culturally specific organizations to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and chemical dependency in communities of color. Our Skills for New Immigrants Program, Limited English Program, and many others have established close working relationships with other community organizations.
Diversity Picnic: One of the highpoints of our year is our Annual Diversity Picnic in which our staff and their families take a day off to celebrate our diversity and enjoy each other’s company.
