Hillside Strong: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Hillside is a part of the communities we serve. Deep within our mission is an implicit commitment to supporting a diverse, equitable and inclusive society. Our agency is dedicated to reversing the multigenerational damage too often caused by poverty, trauma and neglect. Every day, our people see the links between those issues and structural racism and inequity.
Hillside’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Hillside creates an inclusive environment where we leverage our diversity to build a strong, equitable community.
We support diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in all aspects of our work—for the good of our employees, and the youth and families we serve.
- Hillside believes that Black lives matter. Our agency strongly opposes acts of racism and violence in any form.
- Our executives actively engage with government, education and community leaders to explore the nature of structural problems, and how Hillside can make a difference.
- Our agency is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all people, and prohibits discrimination in all aspects of employment. Learn about job opportunities at Hillside
- Our harassment-free workplace policy explicitly supports a working environment that is free of inappropriate behavior, including sexual harassment.
- An open door policy ensures that concerns can be brought to leaders without fear of retaliation.
Watch a brief video gallery of the Summer 2020 Black Lives Matter art exhibit featuring artwork created by young people in residential treatment at Hillside.
Hillside’s DE&I Structure
A diverse and inclusive community requires many points of view. Hillside’s DE&I commitment brings employees together at all levels of the organization, to ensure their voices are heard.
- Monthly Regional Committee meetings provide forums for robust discussion and thoughtful activities. Learn more about Hillside’s regional locations
- Ideas and suggestions for agency-wide change are shared with the Executive Council, which also meets monthly.
- Affinity groups including Hillside Men of Color and Hillside Women of Color meet throughout the year, to share vital thoughts and perspectives.
Because these activities are fundamental to our effectiveness as an organization, staff participate in DE&I meetings as a part of their workday. The shape of the work continues to evolve, but our dedication to DE&I is unwavering—for the benefit of our employees, and the communities we all call home.
March Update: Why DE&I is Vital at Hillside
Diversity is something we celebrate at Hillside. We know that our impact in the community depends on our people, and so we’re intentional about creating a great place to work by continuing to add to an already wonderful mix of people in our Hillside family.
Our work associated with equity and inclusion takes this an important step further, by creating fairness and equitable access to opportunities, and by letting people’s voices be part of the discussions that help guide decision-making.
By merging different perspectives and lived experiences in the work we do with our youth, adults and families, Hillside is able to reach levels of performance that wouldn’t be possible if everything were viewed through a single lens.
In short, everyone benefits from Hillside’s DE&I journey. It’s both the right thing to do, and the smart thing to do—for our people, for those we serve, and for the communities we all call home.
Proud to partner with Social Current
The Alliance for Strong Families and Communities and the Council on Accreditation have joined to form Social Current. The combined mission is to advocate for and implement equitable solutions to society’s toughest challenges. As a longstanding member of the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, Hillside is a proud member of this new partnership, supporting the effort to ignite change for an equitable society where all people can thrive.