Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Journey
At MFS we celebrate and embrace the rich diversity of our staff, volunteers & program participants.
We actively work to ensure that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) is centered and integrated into all we do at MFS.
MFS is an organization that embraces the many cultures that comprise our community. We partner with our program participants to offer connection and opportunities.
In all we do, we seek to convey a core respect for the experience, knowledge, and capacity of every person.
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Many people accessing MFS services have been historically marginalized, and continue to face discrimination, negative bias and risk of personal harm. As we help build prosperity, equity, and social connections, MFS recognizes that there are existing and historical systems that create inequity for individuals, families, and entire communities. We believe changes need to be made in the conditions and assumptions that create injustice, oppression, and lack of inclusion. As an anti-racist organization, we commit to changing systems and confronting obstacles to gain social justice for all.
What we’re doing externally
MFS will adopt anti-racism approaches to our services by:
Understanding and acknowledging systemic and individual racism and our collective privilege.
Being a disruptor when our program participants, partners, supporters, volunteers or staff members are unfairly treated or oppressed due to their social identity (such as cultural group, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical abilities, mental health status, class, etc).
Being an ally and advocating for equitable policies and systems.
Supporting multicultural ways of knowing, leading, recognizing success, learning, expressing emotions, and managing conflict to strive to decenter whiteness and dominant culture.
Intentionally partnering with other organizations that are culturally specific and/or culturally responsive.
Actively using our Equity Lens to:
Promote client voice with an awareness of our privilege, positionality and biases.
Advocate to dismantle discrimination with awareness of our own biases.
Actively build relationships and learn from people impacted by decisions we make.
Work to empower others, share power and ensure we are making decisions that are viewed as helpful.
Create a continuous learning culture that interrupts social and racial inequities within and outside the organization.
What we’re doing internally
Highlight our diverse staff. The majority of our staff are BIPOC, some of whom are former program participants and/or AmeriCorps members
Internal DEIJ Initiatives:
Affinity groups - to provide safe and welcoming spaces to gather and celebrate our rich diversity
JEDI Steering Committee and subcommittees to ensure we are considering DEIJ in all we do and applying an equity lens approach to our decision making
Community Voice – focusing on building community engagement to ensure all voices and perspectives are heard to shape our programs/services
Climate Justice/resilience – ensure those most impacted aren’t left out of discussion regarding climate change and plans to address carbon reduction.
Where we’re headed
MFS will ensure a continuous learning culture by; (1) Creating a foundational understanding of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), and engaging in anti-oppressive & anti-racist journey (2) identifying both short- and long-term Accountability and Results metrics and (3) ensuring input and co creation from participants, staff, board members and volunteers to shape our organizational culture, advocacy efforts and services.
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Culture of continuous learning (ensure minimum level of competency in DEIJ concepts)
Leadership development opportunities to increase representation of staff of color in leadership positions
Diversification of Board members
Increased community engagement to ensure that program participants inform decisions around programs, services and advocacy
Terminology
Language is a crucial aspect of promoting equity.
To be inclusive, MFS uses a range of terms to refer to the same group, as different individuals within that group may prefer different terms. For instance, while some prefer "disabled," others may prefer "people with disabilities." Both phrases are used interchangeably.
Check out these glossaries for more terms and information:
Metropolitan Family Service (MFS) provides programs to all individuals and families without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, religion, gender identity or on the basis of disability.
MFS complies with all applicable laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and ORS Chapter 659A. Learn more at our Title VI page. If you wish to request additional information on MFS’s Title VI nondiscrimination requirements, or if any person believes they have experienced unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI or other applicable law and wish to file a complaint, contact the Human Resources Department at (503) 232-0007 ext. 215 or humanresources@mfs.email