Diversity & Inclusion

We are thrilled to announce that UCAN won the 2010 Distinctive Innovation in Social Services award for its agency-wide Diversity & Inclusion strategy! 
To read more about this exciting award, please click here. 

UCAN is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we firmly believe that our diversity efforts make us a stronger, more vibrant and more effective organization.  We are dedicated to building a business diversity model, nurturing our workforce, and delivering culturally proficient services to our predominantly minority based clientele.  UCAN serves more than 13,000 children, youth and families annually, and has a diverse staff profile with 500+ employees.  It is therefore mandatory that UCAN be a culturally proficient agency, defined as one which holds cultural differences and diversity in the highest esteem and promotes improved cultural relations.  Under the guidance of our Governing Board and Senior Leadership Team, UCAN aims to set the standard for the non-profit industry and to continue to share our work with others. 

• Diversity at UCAN means... Serving and employing a wide range of individuals with broad representation of similarities and differences including people of every ability, race, ethnicity, gender identity, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, age, culture and religion.
• Inclusion at UCAN means... Welcoming, respecting and valuing each individual's unique characteristics and integrating them in an open and supportive environment which helps build stong youth, families, employees and communities.

"Diversity and inclusion bring about broad ideas and broad thinking. I am glad to see that UCAN not only talks about diversity and inclusion, but has actually taken bold steps in diversifying its board and leadership team."  -Markell Bridges, UCAN Governing Board Member

Why is diversity important to UCAN?  We feel it is vitally important to counteract the influence of discrimination on our communities, families and youth.  With UCAN's predominantly minority client base and diverse employee profile, we must understand and embrace different cultures, perspectives, beliefs, experiences, needs and barriers.  We seek not only to employ staff at all levels which represent our clients, but to support our staff, both in their relationships with clients and in their own development. 

"Diversity in the workplace is important, as it allows an organization
to grow and become more effective because of the different perspectives that its members bring to the table.  It is also important for UCAN to promote diversity in order to work with and service clients in different communities." 
- Lilian Caraballo, Resource Specialist, Teen Parenting Service Network

To read more about UCAN's Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, click here. 

To read UCAN's 2012 Diversity & Inclusion Report: Moving Forward, Together please click here.