Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
We have a deep commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging.
Bill Wilson Center values belonging - building an environment where equity is pursued, inclusion is prioritized and diversity is celebrated.
As an organization, we serve and employ a diverse community - and we aim to celebrate and honor the languages, customs, traditions, and insights of the clients, employees, board members and volunteers that engage with Bill Wilson Center each and every day.
Our work in housing, mental health, foster care, supportive services and advocacy also touches on the historic inequities that exist and have contributed to intergenerational poverty, household instability, and homelessness. Through our clients, we see the very real impacts of systemic racism, homophobia, and gender and identity-based discrimination, and we work in partnership with those who come to us for help to navigate a pathway toward healing and long term stability.
The value of belonging is actively practiced at Bill Wilson Center, and it can be seen at work in some of the following ways:
- Hiring and promoting a diverse team
- Providing training on bias, discrimination, and trauma informed care
- Including individuals with lived experience on our board of directors
- Utilizing feedback loops to collaborate with our participants, staff and co-workers in more meaningful ways and incorporating the voices of people with lived experience - both clients and employees.
- Engaging in advocacy at the local, state and federal level to advance change that improves the lives of individuals and families we serve
- Actively participating in the Nonprofit Racial Equity Pledge, developed by Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits.
Our commitment to belonging is driven by the vision of a transformed community:
- A community where everyone has access to safe and affordable housing
- A community where everyone receives identity and culturally affirming supportive services
- A community where everyone can live joyful, abundant and choice-filled lives
Bill Wilson Center cannot achieve these goals alone - and we work alongside our clients, employees, board members, volunteers, community leaders and partners to make meaningful and lasting change.
We hope you will join us on this journey.
In doing so we can create meaningful change, and fully realize a community where everyone belongs, lives with dignity, and thrives.
