DID YOU KNOW…
Your KY-WV YMCA Alliance has a DIG-MD Task Force!

DIG-MD stands for:
Diversity-Inclusion-Global-Multicultural-Development.

We are here as a resource for you!
Freddie Brown, YMCA of Greater Louisville
Elizabeth Cochran, YMCA Camp Ernst
Quan Founder, YMCA Safe Place
Erin Roth Jones, Telford YMCA
Ashley Justice, Pikeville YMCA
Shelly Justice-Fouts, Pikeville YMCA
Beth Malcom, Kentucky YMCA Youth Association
Shanna Rutherford, Hopkinsville/Christian County YMCA
Shawn Thompson, Mayfield Graves County YMCA
Benton Walker, Harrison County YMCA
-Please utilize our website -check out our library of resources.
-visit the DIG-MD page on LINK.
-Go to the hub***if you need help.

3 Examples from our Alliance Members:
“How our Y started Operationalizing DIG”
In June of 2020, the Chief Volunteer Officer at the Telford Community Center YMCA, released a Statement of Diversity and Inclusion. In addition to releasing the statement, our Board of Directors formed a Diversity and Inclusion committee which is comprised of board members, employees and citizens of our community to promote diversity and inclusion within our organization and community. As a Y, we understand that this work is critical and is on-going.
-Erin Jones Roth, CEO, Telford YMCA
Richmond, KY
We made equity a strategic priority in the current strategic plan adopted by the board. We promoted our diversity lead role to Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Global Perspective.
We are creating a series of trainings for staff and volunteers to increase knowledge, awareness and cultural competence.
-Freddie Brown, Vice President, Diversity-Inclusion-Global Perspective, YMCA of Greater Louisville, Louisville, KY
We are operationalizing DIG work by placing our DEI statement on our website, alongside our mission statement. We have also added it to the bottom of our signature lines of our emails. Lastly, all of our job descriptions include our DEI statement and follow guidelines for equitable hiring practices.
-Beth Malcom, CEO, Kentucky YMCA Youth Association
ACTION STEPS FOR TODAY:
  1. Forward this email to your team
  2. Email to join the mailing list or get involved
  3. Listen for stories of inclusion at your Y and SHARE them with us!

ALLIANCE MEMBERS IN THE NEWS FOR INCLUSION

  • Read about Wheeling WV YMCA's “Sensory-rich inclusive playground”

UPCOMING EVENTS:
PAST EVENTS:
  • Infusing Equity Webinars recordings including “How to practice Mindfulness in the midst of the ‘Exhaust’” and “Shifting our Values: Pay Equity in the YMCA”