Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Commitments
The Maya Gold Foundation’s mission is to empower youth to access their inner wisdom and to realize their dreams. The board and staff of this foundation believe that a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is central to realizing our mission. Both in its internal work as a non-profit organization and its programmatic and service outreach, we are committed to envisioning and implementing diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible policies, practices, programs, and services. At the Maya Gold Foundation, a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment is one where all board members, staff, volunteers, Youth Action Team members, and program participants, whatever their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or ability, feels valued and respected.
Internally, the board and staff are committed to:
• Recognizing that diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility are central to our mission and critical to supporting the well-being of boards members, staff, volunteers, Youth Action Team members and program participants.
• Pursuing competency in these areas throughout the organization by creating learning opportunities, as well as formal, transparent policies and practices.
• Acknowledging and dismantling any inequities within our policies, systems, programs
and services, and continually updating and reporting organizational progress.
• Advocating for and supporting thinking on a board-level about how systemic inequities impact our organization’s work, and how to best address it in ways consistent with our mission.
• Practicing and encouraging transparent communication in all our interactions.
• Allocating time and resources to expand a more diverse membership within the board, staff, Youth Action Team members, and volunteers.
• Holding each other accountable in order to support the organization in upholding these commitments.
Externally, our board, staff, Youth Action Team members, and volunteers are committed to:
• Respecting and valuing diverse life experiences and heritages and intentionally expanding the range of voices that are valued and heard in our work.
• Utilizing time and energy to create programs and service opportunities that address dimensions of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in meaningful, action-oriented ways.
• Expanding the diversity of our program participants.
• Pooling resources and expanding offerings for underrepresented youth by connecting with other service organizations committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
By intentionally integrating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility into our work, we strengthen our ability to realize the Core Values of the Maya Gold Foundation, which are to:
• Uplift and empower youth and adults
• Promote and embrace change
• Work with compassion and respect
• Celebrate creativity and joy
We welcome community feedback on our implementation of these Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility commitments.
