UWGT Equity and Justice Statement
On June 2, we shared the United Way network's statement on equity and access to justice. Last week, on June 12 we echoed and amplified that national message with our local commitment to listen, learn and grow in our personal and collective understanding. We look forward to walking beside our partners, donors and those we serve on this journey.
United Way of Greater Topeka fights every day for the education, financial stability, and health of everyone in our community. This work happens in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and donors.
We recognize that disparities affect all communities, including Greater Topeka and the counties we serve. Alleviating those disparities is the very core of the impact work that your United Way contributions support.
We must fully acknowledge those disparities and meet them head on. This includes validating the experiences of our Black community members – in their encounters with law enforcement, in education, in their access to services and resources.
In the past week people from all walks of life have come together and lifted their voices in solidarity. We must add our United Way voice to that chorus and amplify with intent the voices of justice that already ring out in our community.
Our work mandates that we advocate for the racial and social justice of everyone that we serve. Looking away from this moment is not an option. We invite the residents of Greater Topeka and all surrounding communities to join us as we listen to, learn from and elevate the voices that our society has kept in the margins for far too long.