WCC is committed to creating internal processes and external work to provide safe spaces for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Below are focus areas and steps WCC will take to do anti-racist work and to serve BIPOC. We will focus on behaviors and choices, not on individuals, and pull from our prevention expertise and the power of the bystander- each one of us, to proactively and reactively respond to behaviors that lead to racism, violence, and abuse.

This is intended for internal use, but will be shared publicly and available on our website. We will be transparent about progress and barriers and utilize this plan to inform other groups who wish to learn from our process.

EDUCATION
Education will not replace inclusion and diversity but will be a part of a holistic approach.

ACTION STEPS:
• Consult with leading experts in the field of anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion to adapt a curriculum to implement at WCC that will:
  • Enhance staff practice and skills in anti-racist actions, behaviors, and services
  • Work to connect, educate and create actionable steps for people on all levels of our agency (staff, board and residents).
  • Be implemented in 2021
• Offer convening spaces for people to talk about their experiences with racism and micro-aggressions
• All staff will go through the training Groundwater by the end of 2020.

EVALUATION
WCC will honestly solicit voices, feedback, and information, from staff, clients, and community and use those findings to analyze and improve internal practices, polices, and procedures.

ACTION STEPS:
• Distribute anonymous survey to the entire WCC staff, created by the DEI committee
• Hold ongoing discussions and with law enforcement and criminal justice leadership on ways to better serve BIPOC survivors of power-based personal violence.
• Constantly examine relationships with law enforcement and criminal justice leadership through the lens of our loyalty to BIPOC and survivors of power-based personal violence.
• Hold an external audit to evaluate internal practices, policies, and procedures in all areas of WCC.

ACCOUNTABILITY
WCC owns and acknowledges our history and the part we have played in systemic racism, and commits to holding ourselves and other systems accountable to best serve survivors.

ACTION STEPS:
• Recognizing the institutional racism that has existed in the DV/SA movement as a whole as well as in our agency.
• Maintain transparency regarding the current demographics of our staff, board, and clients.
• Measurably change the representation on WCC staff and Board
• Hold other systems accountable
• Address racism in the moment
• Take appropriate steps to follow up with your supervisors
• WCC staff or leadership will follow up with systems leadership to improve servicers, care and response from agencies and institutions serving clients
• Promote self-education, personal accountability, and “doing our own individual work” in order to do the work in our community.
• Read or Listen – 1619 Project, The New York Times (all articles or podast)
• Watch – Just Mercy and When They See Us
• Talk – Participate in agency and community discussions on race equity

RELATIONSHIPS
WCC will foster genuine relationships with lived experience and experts in the BIPOC community.

ACTION STEPS:
• Identify leaders in our BIPOC regional community
• Support and be present to be of service to the BIPOC community
• Establish and develop authentic relationships with service providers and resources for victims
• Provide direct services onsite in multiple accessible locations
• Post job openings to promote visibility and access for BIIPOC candidates

SYSTEMS CHANGE
WCC works to end oppression and create sustainable change. Employees deserve a thriving, safe, and affirming work culture.

ACTION STEPS:
• Use Evaluation steps to ensure that our work environment is a safe space for WCC employees of all identities
• Work to retain and engage diverse population
• Elevate the voices of BIPOC to create sustainable change
• Create tangible and online materials that proactively work to end oppression
• Model a culture of bystander action based on behavior, not individuals
• Stand with other leaders in the community, throughout the Commonwealth, and country to constantly continue anti-racist work and stand in solidarity with BIPOC.