National Health Corps reposted this
Happy Pride Month! AmeriCorps is committed to ensuring our efforts create safe environments for all our staff, members, and volunteers. Read more from AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith: I recognize the importance of having your identity respected and valued where you work, live, and serve. Having grown up at a time when I felt coming out as my authentic self would lead to discrimination, ostracization, or worse, I cherish the progress we've made so far. And, I cherish the fact that I serve in an Administration where a gay, Black man can proudly lead this agency and stand alongside LGBTQIA+ colleagues in this agency, the President's Cabinet, Congress, and so many other leadership roles, which just a decade or two ago seemed unattainable. At AmeriCorps, we are deeply committed to evolving and fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all our colleagues, members, volunteers, and partners. This has been a priority for me, and it will continue to be one for AmeriCorps. I've had the privilege of seeing our members take pride in their identity and empower our LGBTQIA+ communities to do the same through our programs WomenVenture and Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago. AmeriCorps members serving with WomenVenture are helping advance equality and expand opportunities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. They offer access to affordable capital, business training, and consulting programs to women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs in underserved communities, helping them kickstart, grow, and sustain viable businesses. Meanwhile, in Chicago, Illinois, our members empower young people to build self-confidence. Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago's Illinois Safe Schools Alliance program promotes safety, support, and healthy development for LGBTQIA+ youth in Illinois schools and communities. For more than 16 years, AmeriCorps members collaborated with community organizations, schools and districts, and state agencies to help foster safer school spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth. As Dr. King stated, "We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly." We have made great strides and have so much more to do. Through the power of service, together, we will continue fighting for all people to have the dignity and respect they deserve. Because when we show up feeling free and proud as our beautiful selves, we create a more equal and just society.
