Page 27 - NYC Imagine Awards Journal

Diversity,Equity,Inclusion,& Accessibility

Cynthia Amodeo, Chief Executive Officer Alicia D. Guevara, Chief Executive Officer
Barrier Free Living Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City
637 East 138th Street, Bronx NY 10454 40 Rector St, New York, NY 10006
(212) 533-4358 | www.bflnyc.org (212) 686-2042 | www.bigsnyc.org
For over 120 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City has been the nation’s first and the
Since 1981, Barrier Free Living (BFL) has supported individuals with disabilities and individuals city’s largest youth mentoring organization, continuously innovating to meet the evolving needs
who are D/deaf to live dignified lives free of all forms of abuse and bias. The primary focus has of the 2,500 diverse young people (Littles) we serve. Our mission is to ignite the potential of all
been to empower people with disabilities, providing services related to domestic violence (DV) New York City youth, and our programs, initiatives, and decision-making reflect the vibrant
and homelessness. Services are provided at: 1) Secret Garden, a community-based DV program identities of our Littles: youth of color, LGBTQ+ youth, immigrant youth, and first-generation
for survivors with disabilities and survivors who are D/deaf, opened in 1990; 2) Freedom House, college students.
a confidential DV crisis shelter for survivors with disabilities and D/deaf survivors, serving
single adult survivors and families since 2006; and 3) BFL Apartments, a supportive housing We are guided by our value of Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and have
program opened in 2015, which provides supportive permanent housing services for people established a Director of DEI Initiatives to guide our efforts. We center the voices of all
with disabilities and people who are D/deaf, many of whom have experienced trauma resulting our stakeholders through our Youth Council, Parent Advisory Council, and Bigs (mentors)
from homelessness, abuse, or other forms of violence. Our focus on the intersection of domestic Ambassadors Group which help inform program design and operations. We also invest in our
violence and disability is one of our unique commitments to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and staff who represent the diverse communities that we serve. Each of our departments is required
Accessibility. Our staff is deeply connected to clients’ communities and cultures. Historically, to set measurable goals that support DEI advancement, and we partner with external experts to
our DEIA work has focused on structural racism, implicit bias, and macroaggressions, but has ensure we remain accountable and operate with integrity as we champion the next generation
now expanded to include LGBTQIA+ bias, d/Deaf culture, and gender affirming inclusivity. of leaders.
And all of this work is layered atop the fact that the majority of our clients have a disability. Additionally, several Affinity Groups—Asian Mentoring Committee, Bigs United (African
Together, we have created a supportive, trauma-informed environment where the staff feels American), Latinx Bigs, Big Pride (LGBTQ+), and Young Professionals Committee—bring
encouraged and motivated in their work, and clients feel supported and able to be true to together Bigs with shared identities, supporting recruitment and program development. These
themselves. By embracing our diversity, we build up our community. groups help ensure that more Littles are mentored by Bigs who share similar backgrounds and
experiences, providing meaningful, relatable connections that help foster trust, understanding,
and growth.
CELEBRATING
Christie Ko, Executive Director YEARS Michelle Yanche, Executive Director
Fiver Children’s Foundation Good Shepherd Services
519 Eighth Avenue, Floor 24, New York, NY 10018 (212) 243-7070 | www.goodshepherds.org
(212) 971-9562 | www.fiver.org
Fiver Children's Foundation is dedicated to empowering youth from under-resourced Rooted in work begun in New York City in 1857, Good Shepherd Services (GSS) envisions a
communities across New York through a transformative ten-year commitment, providing them New York City where children grow up in thriving neighborhoods and everyone can build on
with experiences and relationships to foster positive futures. Since its inception 25 years ago, their strengths to realize their fullest potential. Employing a strength-based, trauma-informed
Fiver has evolved into a leading youth development organization, supporting over 400 youth youth and family development model, each year, GSS services over 24,000 children, youth,
annually through a comprehensive 12-month program that includes educational workshops and and families through a network of more than 95-plus education, vocational, child welfare, and
family retreats. community-based programs located throughout Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan.

Fiver's mission addresses barriers caused by historical discrimination and limited resources by GSS knows that structural racism permeates our society and human services systems.
focusing on social-emotional development and practical skills. This approach helps break the Acknowledging the traumatic role that racist treatment plays for youth and families, GSS works
cycle of poverty and creates pathways to success for participants from diverse backgrounds, to implement structures, policies, and practices with inclusive decision-making and other forms
including underserved areas like Mott Haven and East Harlem, as well as rural regions in of power-sharing. Led by our Chief Anti-racism and Equity Officer, in the past five years GSS
Madison and Chenango counties. has implemented numerous anti-racism, Diversity Equity Inclusivity, and Accessibility-focused
efforts across the agency which are inclusive of re-examining hiring practices using an anti-
Collaborating with schools and community organizations, such as Mercy Center and Qualitas racism lens, strategic planning, and policy development.
of Life Foundation, Fiver ensures equitable access and supports underserved populations,
including immigrant families in the South Bronx. Programs like one-on-one support, college Also, as an agency, we’ve broadened our reach of capital within the nonprofit sector, by co-
and career development, and summer camp foster personal growth, confidence, and leadership. leading the NY State Equitable Economies Coalition and continuously engaging in advocacy
Fiver’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility is embedded in its to NYC and NY State elected officials to ensure public resources are distributed equitably to
culture and strategic planning. We are focused on four strategic pillars: staff and board member individuals, families, and communities most deeply impacted by systemic racism.
development, advancing an inclusive culture, enhancing representation, and ensuring accessible
and inclusive services. By introducing key performance indicators and specific initiatives, Fiver Through many of the agency's efforts, GSS continues to fulfill its mission of being guided by
continues to advance its mission, ensuring that all program participants, our 150+ alumni social and racial justice to partner and grow with communities so that all NYC children, youth,
that continue to engage, and community members benefit from its inclusive and supportive and families succeed and thrive.
environment.
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