Diversity and Inclusion

THE YMCA IS FOR ALL

At the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, we believe in honoring our Christian mission, living our cause, acting in accordance with our values, and placing the greater good above self. It is our belief that, in a diverse world, we are stronger when our doors are open to all. Diversity and inclusion are core tenets of our mission “for all.” Our commitment to inclusion programs creates better communities, a better country, and a better world… for a better us. We work to ensure that everyone in our community feels welcome and fully engaged as participants, members, staff and volunteers.
 

Dimensions of Diversity

The Y is made up of people from all walks of life who are joined together by a shared commitment to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. To truly be inclusive and welcoming to all, it is critical to understand that there are many factors that make up and influence a person’s individuality. If we hold too narrow a view of what constitutes diversity, we will miss opportunities to effectively engage, connect and serve all members of our communities. Learn about the various dimensions of diversity.
 

Equal Employment Opportunities

The YMCA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or other legally-protected status. The YMCA is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment consistent with its mission.

The MANY DIMENSIONS OF DIVERSITY

The Y is made up of people from all walks of life who are joined together by a shared commitment to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. If we hold too narrow a view of what constitutes diversity, we will miss opportunities to effectively engage, connect and serve ALL members of our communities.

CORE DIMENSIONS

Core dimensions are central to our personal experience, have sustained influence in our lives, and are often the dimensions that we most closely identify with. Many of these dimensions are unchangeable – reflecting how we were born – though some may change over the course of our lives.

The core dimensions include:

• Age • Diverse Ability & Mental Health • Economic Background • Ethnicity, Heritage & Cultural Background • Faith/Beliefs/Values/Ideology • Gender & Gender Identity • Language Use & Native Tongue • National Origin & Birthplace • Race • Sexual Orientation

SECONDARY DIMENSIONS

Secondary dimensions, while critically important in determining our identity, have a greater degree of control or self-determination to change, which is not as present in our core dimensions.

The secondary dimensions include:

• Appearance & Body Type • Citizenship Status • Educational Background • Family Influence & Life Experiences • Geographic Location • Income & Economic Circumstances • Marital/Relationship Status • Parental Status • Personal & Recreational Habits • Veteran & Military Status

ORGANIZATIONAL DIMENSIONS

These dimensions contribute to how we experience our time with the Y. They help to shape how we approach our work and how we connect with others across the Y Movement.

The organizational dimensions include:

• Communication Style • Division/Department/Unit/Group • Functional & Work Expertise • Management Status • Organizational & Union Affiliation • Seniority • Status of the Y within Your Community • Work Content/Field • Work Location • YMCA Experience

COLLECTIVE & GLOBAL CONTEXT

This ring highlights the role of the outside world in shaping how we define our dimensions of diversity. Just as self-identification emphasizes the importance of how we see ourselves, collective and global context emphasizes the importance of how the world perceives us.

BLANK SPACES

The blank spaces in the core, secondary and organizational dimensions acknowledge that the Diversity Wheel can never accurately (or fully) represent any single person’s experiences. These spaces allow an individual to add dimensions that are important to their identity.