Equity & Access
Equity is a continual process of ensuring that every individual has the access and opportunity they need to thrive and are not at a disadvantage from achieving their potential because of their background, identity or social position.
What Is the Y Approach to Equity?
The Y is committed to advancing equity for those most marginalized in our communities so that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, can reach their full potential with dignity.
To advance equity, we must evaluate and dismantle the systemic barriers to opportunities, access and resources that have prevented the full participation of some groups (based on certain characteristics including ability, age, citizenship, economic background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity/expression, national origin, race and sexual orientation) and develop relevant solutions and support systems.
The Y's Way of Advancing Equity includes four key action phases and four guiding principles. In each phase, the Y's actions are undertaken with the full buy-in of, and partnership with, the community being served in order to foster equitable outcomes. The guiding principles are used during each phase to help ensure that we are partnering effectively with organizational and community stakeholders to achieve these outcomes.
Four Action Phases Toward Equity
- Individual Learning
- Organizational Strategies
- Deliver on Commitment
- Measure Impact
Guiding Principles for Equity
- Commit to developing individual and organizational accountabilities.
- Prioritize allocation of time and resources needed to develop and execute work plans.
- Activate staff, volunteers and stakeholders to address community needs as partners.
- Reflect on what we set out to accomplish, where we are now, and what lessons we can apply as work continues.