United Way of Washington County, Maryland - Statement on EQUITY
United Way of Washington County fights for the health, education, and financial stability of our diverse community. The United Way views equity and access to justice as one of our community's basic needs.
We Live United against acts of injustice, divisiveness, and violence based on race or ethnicity across the nation. Acts that contribute to racism, social inequality, and injustice are abhorrent and do not align with the values of our leadership, board of directors, staff, and volunteers.
We are deeply pained by the recent rise in divisiveness, contention, and intolerance instigated by the actions of a few in our community and support peaceful, collaborative solutions. We call for a time of healing.
We ask that our community not allow recent events to divide us. Instead, this is an opportunity to ask what can you do differently today to position us better--together--in the future? We are all human. We all feel and have a shared responsibility for our community.
We implore everyone we serve and everyone who supports the United Way to have compassion and empathy for each other. Our children are watching, listening, and learning, so let us lead by example, talk less, listen more, encourage collaborative resolutions and pick the side that secures a future that is equitable, respectful, and opportunity-filled.
The United Way of Washington County's mission is to "Inspire Collaboration to Impact Community Improvement." We must all do our part to LIVE UNITED. BE THE ONE to help guarantee that the fundamental human rights and freedoms of every person and community are protected. Unity requires that we stop fighting amongst each other, avoid assumptions, and communicate in a way that we ensure the feelings and values of all are heard and understood. Avoid passing judgment and assigning blame so we may seek collaborative solutions.
Be kind. Be the one. Live United.
United Way of Washington County, MD inspires collaborations to impact community improvement. United Way is located at 83 West Washington Street, Suite 101 in Hagerstown, MD 21740. For more information or to make a donation please call 301-739-8200 or visit our website at www.unitedwaywashcounty.org. To find volunteer opportunities please visit http://volunteer.unitedwaywashcounty.org/.
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