Over the past few months, our communities have been suffering. Many have struggled from personal and professional challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and we are all coping with the horrific displays of injustice against the black community, which have brought the issues of systemic racism and injustice against people of color to the forefront. Today, we stand united with those in our city and our nation who continue to bring a voice to the voiceless and fight for equality, justice and equity for all.
Black lives matter. They’ve always mattered. With a diverse client population that includes 24% African American women and children and 69% people of color, we are keenly sensitive to the issue of racial profiling and undeserved/unjust treatment so many of our residents have experienced. Our focus has always been on healing – healing from abuse, from addiction, from poverty, from dysfunction, from mental health challenges, from homelessness and from stereotyped labeling by others who may not understand. We are committed to transitioning our formerly homeless families from lives of poverty and dependence to confidence and self-sustainability, which can only be achieved through healing.
We’ve spent these last few weeks listening. Listening to our community. Listening to our clients. Listening to our staff. Listening to you. Specifically:
- We held an open discussion focused on Saint John’s core value of respect during our monthly All Staff meeting to coordinate our efforts as a team as we address any staff or client concerns, and to be sure we are listening and sharing information.
- We met with our clients during Community Meeting to provide information and answer any questions or concerns.
- Our Integrated Health Services team is addressing challenges associated with implicit bias, racial injustice, prejudice and police brutality both in group and one-on-one counseling with clients and their children as questions and concerns arise.
- Our Childcare staff, which implemented an “Emoji Club” several weeks ago as part of its social-emotional skills program, is facilitating open discussions to encourage the children to talk about their feelings and practice new coping skills.
These are the first steps to our continued efforts to address the challenges of racial injustice and discrimination in our community. Saint John’s Program for Real Change offers a message of hope – hope that these recent events will finally result in Real Change, hope that our nation will heal and hope that we can move forward, united.
Sincerely,
