Our mission compels us to ensure each person in our community feels welcome and has the same opportunities to participate and engage with other members, staff and volunteers. Throughout the U.S., as neighborhoods change, households evolve and demographics shift, it’s essential that all Y’s develop and pursue global strategies and diversity and inclusion practices that help them connect, advocate for and strengthen the communities they serve.

The Diversity, Inclusion and Global (DIG) Innovation Network consists of YMCAs that have made an organizational commitment to integrate diversity, inclusion and global strategies to better serve diverse and underserved populations, foster community cohesion, and address social equity and inclusion issues.

DIG Innovation YMCAs use the following principles to guide their organizational strategies,
operations and programs:

• Lead with empathy in all interactions and activities
• Recognize, value and embrace all dimensions of diversity and work towards the greatest possible inclusion
• Foster a safe exchange of ideas, beliefs and perspectives within/through the Y locally and globally
• Advance social equity and bridge-building across and within all communities

The Y is made up of people from all walks of life who are joined together by a shared commitment to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. This Diversity Wheel diagram represents the various dimensions of diversity. To truly be inclusive and welcoming to all, it is critical to understand the many factors that make up and influence a person’s individuality. If we hold too narrow a view of what constitutes diversity, we will miss opportunities to effectively engage, connect and serve ALL members of our communities.