Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at LifeMoves

Vision & Mission

A LifeMoves that embraces and celebrates the diversity of all our staff, clients, and the communities we represent and serve. We strive to build equity across all positions and roles at LifeMoves by fostering a culture of collaboration, mutual understanding, and respect for each individual’s identity, experience, perspective, and journey.

To achieve this, our mission is to be a nexus that brings together the perspectives of all positions and roles within the LifeMoves community to share thoughts and suggest actions that promote diversity, advance equity, foster inclusion, and create a sense of belonging. The committee will address structural gaps in representation, cultivate an environment where all identities are valued and respected, and provide resources that educate and explore different points of view.

We will accomplish this by identifying baselines and opportunities for change, being solution-focused and future-facing, and bringing awareness to different cultures and identities agency-wide.

Our vision requires immediate and extensive action.

A group of people poses together in front of an illuminated poster on a wall labeled "ICON X," inside a carpeted indoor setting with overhead lighting.

LifeMoves DEI&B Employee Advisory Board

A person smiling with braided and curly hair, displaying a tattoo on the shoulder, in an indoor setting with dim lighting.

Brandi Andino

Senior Administrative Assistant, Human Resources

A person with glasses smiles warmly, wearing a black blazer and white shirt, set against a dark, neutral backdrop.

Sylvia Bambra

Outreach Housing Specialist

A person smiles while standing against a textured red wall, wearing a black jacket and hoop earrings.

Dolores Del Carmen Ruiz

Re-Entry Employment Specialist

A person wearing glasses smiles at the camera, seated in an office with a wooden door and a partitioned cubicle in the background, creating a professional atmosphere.

Tammie Hussar-Whiteman

HR Administrative & Talent Associate

A person with curly hair and glasses smiles at the camera, wearing a red shirt. A whiteboard with a flyer about "Access to All Things Digital" is visible in the background.

Toni Lynch

Case Manager

A woman with glasses and hoop earrings smiles at the camera, seated in a living room with framed pictures on the wall and a tall shelf in the background.

DeLoria White

Vocational Specialist | Villa

Swati Gharse

Human Resource Manager - Talent

Isa Karabed

ASW, Director of DEI and Lived Experience and Chair

Lauren Constanza

Case Manager and Co-Chair

Yaritza Cordova

Secretary

Employee Resource Groups

Employee Resource Groups are organizationally supported groups of employees drawn together by common characteristics (race, gender, sexual orientation, faith, or other special interests). LifeMoves supports DEI&B initiatives by fostering these safe spaces that focus on reflection, learning, and building community.

Why Employee Resource Groups?

Improve company culture & retention

Support common goals of workplace diversity and inclusion

Establish platform to present employee concerns

Encourage employee engagement and collaborative working relationships

Create safe spaces for all employees to have a sense of belonging

DEI & Belonging Definitions

Diversity

Everything that makes us who we are, seen and unseen

The full range of staff differences both visible and invisible including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, generation, socioeconomic status, education, citizenship status, religious affiliations & beliefs, mental or physical ability, communication styles, national origin, political beliefs, language, and cultural norms, traditions, and values.

Equity

Eliminating barriers

Eliminating barriers that have prevented the full participation of communities and individuals most impacted by systemic oppression. We achieve equity by ensuring that everyone has support and access to the resources they need to be successful.

Inclusion

Celebrating & embracing all backgrounds

The active practice of celebrating and embracing staff of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and perspectives to feel accepted, safe, empowered, supported, and affirmed to be their authentic selves at work.

Belonging

A culture of trust, where all voices are heard

Fostering a workplace where all people are recognized for their inherent worth and dignity, talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of living without feeling the need to change, alter, or assimilate. Belonging is a real sense of fitting in as yourself and feeling like you are an important member of the team.

In Action Recommendations

#1

Create Pay Transparency, Fair Promotion, and Advancement Opportunities regardless of one’s social identities

#2

Provide training opportunities to promote awareness of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

#3

Create a sense of belonging through transparent communication about important company
developments

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