Bridging’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Statement

At Bridging, we value unique backgrounds, perspectives and experiences ensuring that everyone- clients, volunteers, staff, board, donors, agency and community partners – feel that they are welcome and are a part of the Bridging community. We value the dignity and inclusion of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, abilities, sexual orientation, life experiences or any other identities, and seek to learn and celebrate differences. We believe that creating an inclusive environment based on respect, trust and service are integral to how we serve clients, support the team, and achieve our mission.

Bridging recognizes that we have a responsibility to center equity in our work.  Therefore, Bridging strives to make our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging evident in our environment, policies, processes, staff, and volunteers. In order to integrate these crucial competencies throughout our organization’s culture, we commit to the following:

• Fostering an environment that supports, engages and includes people with different racial, cultural, economic, ages and religious backgrounds as well as those with varying physical abilities, gender identities and sexual orientations.
• Diversifying and tapping into partnerships beyond traditional allies and constituencies.
• Entering intercultural relationships with humility, prepared to listen, learn, follow their lead, and adapt our methods and practices to achieve mutual benefit.
• Recruiting, hiring, retaining, and developing a culturally competent team whose demographics more closely mirror those of our Twin Cities community.
• Ensuring Bridging policies and procedures are welcoming and do not further inequities.

APPROVED by Board of Directors: December, 2018, revised April, 2023

Commitment to the Community: A Reviewal and Renewal

Since Bridging began serving the Twin Cities community in 1987, Founder Fran Heitzman modeled and instilled unconditional welcoming and serving of all who need to access our services. This foundation led to the development of the organizational values of Dignity and Service. We are honored to serve alongside our Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Community. On a daily basis we engage with many cultures and communities of color. We treasure these diverse relationships and continue to seek new partnerships that will make us a stronger organization.

In the summer of 2020, we shared with you our new Commitment to the Community. That commitment is a blueprint for action. Read our 1 year update message online. (Summer 2021)

July 2020 – To our Clients, Partners, and Community,

Along with many of you, we recognize the pain, despair, and outrage being expressed across the United States and around the world. As an organization rooted in the value of dignity and committed to “empowering people to thrive in their homes,” it is vital that we open our eyes to the racial injustices around us, understand and confront its root causes, raise our voices for change, and remove the structural barriers that keep racism alive.

To our many Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) agency partners, clients, volunteers, staff, donors, and community: we see you and deeply value your presence. We stand in solidarity with you to eradicate the many social and economic injustices that exist in our community and world.

Read the 2020 Commitment to the Community message online.