Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy
What
LEAP focuses on six areas:
Education & Practice
Grow as a culturally competent, responsive, and anti-racist organization.
LEAP Culture
Build a culture where all LEAP staff live by common values and feel they are included and belong.
Diversity
Diversify LEAP’s board, staff, and volunteers to be more reflective of students and families served.
Youth Voice
Create a Youth Advisory Council to give youth voice to ongoing policy and program decisions made at LEAP.
Program Design & Culture
Ensure program design, culture, curriculum, and youth skills-development include exploration of social justice and systemic inequities as part of LEAP’s commitment to supporting youth in transitioning to adulthood and the workforce.
Advocacy
Advocate for and alongside our youth community by developing opportunities for youth to build advocacy skills and fully participate in civic engagement, and by using our organizational platforms to express and communicate shared values, beliefs, and actions.
Why
In 2021, LEAP initiated a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy (DEIA) initiative to ensure an organizational culture that respects the unique needs, perspectives, and potential of its staff, volunteers, students, families, and community partners. Everyone deserves to work and live in environments where their needs are met, thoughts respected, and voices included. We believe this investment will increase the organizational impact by fostering and empowering higher degrees of engagement, productivity, innovation, and success.
Who
A fifteen-member DEIA committee made up of staff, volunteers, board members, students, alumni, and community members.
