United Way of Door County’s Diversity Statement
We strive to create a community where everyone can thrive and flourish. We will respect and appreciate the differences of race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical and developmental disabilities, work style, socio-economic status, educational levels and the perspectives shaped by an individual’s life experiences, as well as how these are influenced by the larger culture.
As we strive to become a model of diversity and inclusion, we will hold ourselves and others accountable to our standards by:
- Creating measurable and relevant objectives to advance our goal of building a community in which all members may thrive and flourish;
- Requiring our Funded Partners to develop and adopt their own robust commitment statements for diversity, equity and inclusion. United Way of Door County will consider these statements when allocating resources;
- Communicating our commitments and standards and how we are adhering to them, both within our organization and throughout our community;
- Fostering and participating in diversity, equity and inclusion conversations and/or training programs within our community;
- Providing diversity, equity and inclusion training for our staff and board members that will enable us to recognize and call out injustice, both within our organization and our greater community.
We will bring persons from unique backgrounds together to collectively and more effectively address the diversity, equity and inclusion issues facing our local community. We believe that as we acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate our individual differences, as well as our interconnectedness with one another and others across our state and nation, we will become stronger together.
United Way of Door County’s Anti-Racism Statement
United Way of Door County recognizes that structural racism and other forms of deep-seated oppression have contributed to persistent disparities, the very kind of disparities that our mission seeks to address and dismantle.
United Way of Door County strives to engage community members, especially those whose voices have traditionally been marginalized.
We seek to make our community a place of inclusion and welcome for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in a community that is overwhelmingly white.
We work with residents, as well as public and private partners to co-create solutions so that everyone has the resources, support, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive.
We recommit to leveraging all of our assets, including convening, strategic investments, awareness building, and advocacy, to promote equity in the area we serve.
We commit ourselves to solidarity with other communities who share the same mission across the country and the world.
We commit ourselves to a united voice against the disparities that exist. United Way of Door County stands against hatred and works to build a more inclusive and equitable world, starting here in Door County.
This anti-racism statement is a living and breathing document with an expectation of growth. We will make changes and updates to this document as our journey for growth continues.
United Way of Door County’s Gun Violence Statement
Approved by the Board of Directors on August 10, 2022
United Way of Door County is committed to creating a community in which every person has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in an environment that is safe and supportive. This includes identifying barriers that may impede the success of Door County residents in achieving this goal.
United Way of Door County provides both programs and support so that we can build a community where all people can achieve their full potential through education, financial stability and healthy lifestyles.
We believe gun violence is a public health issue that as a community we must address in order to “enhance our collective well-being, improve and protect lives, and support a vibrant and resilient community.” (National Alliance on Mental Illness, June 6, 2022)
The threat of gun violence is real. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 45,222 persons died from gun-related injuries in the U.S. in 2020, the most ever recorded. This is approximately 124 gun deaths each day. While our attention is often drawn to mass shootings, those resulting in four or more deaths in a single incident, the reality is that mass shootings account for only 1% of all gun deaths. (Gun Violence Archive) Suicides, however, account for 54% of gun deaths while homicides represent an additional 43% of gun-related deaths according to the Pew Research Center. Wisconsin experienced 717 lives lost to homicide, suicide, accidents and other events in 2020. * Easy access to guns is often cited as a contributing factor in these deaths.
Firearm ownership is an important and cherished part of the hunting, sport, and self-sufficiency traditions in Wisconsin. We honor and uphold these traditions. Yet we hold in tension the reality that even firearms used for hunting may result in unintended consequences. World Population Review reported a total of 64,878
registered guns in Wisconsin in 2020, although many guns go unregistered. In an average year, 621 people die and another 1,093 are wounded by guns in Wisconsin. Guns are the second leading cause of death for children and teens in Wisconsin. Approximately 48 children and teens die by guns every year and 50% of those deaths are suicides, according to Gun Violence in Wisconsin, EveryStat.org.
We agree with the National Parent Teacher Association’s Statement on Gun Safety and Violence Prevention, “Practical gun safety and violence prevention efforts will protect not just our children, but all citizens from gun violence while at the same time respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. We must work together to end gun violence.” As a community, we can pledge to secure our guns safely to prevent unauthorized access which may lead to tragedy. Together we can create and maintain a safe environment in Door County for all residents and visitors by learning more about the impact of gun violence locally, regionally and nationally.
*By comparison, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reported 573 motor vehicle fatalities in 2020.
