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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Creating a space in which all people feel accepted, valued, and safe.

VOA Alaska’s mission is to empower Alaskans and uplift the human spirit through recovery services, housing, and promoting healthy communities. Our vision is a community that supports the hope, health, and healing of every Alaskan. We believe that all people are worthy of wellness.

We recognize the harmful legacy of systemic injustice, discrimination, and colonialism and strive to break down barriers that prevent a person from achieving their full potential.

VOA Alaska is committed to:

  • Providing person-centered and culturally responsive programs and services to support, strengthen, and build upon a person’s foundation of well-being and resilience.
  • Promoting an inclusive environment where all people feel accepted, valued, and safe—a place where they truly belong.
  • Ensuring equitable access to services by reducing financial barriers to receiving care, and by providing telehealth and community-based services and outreach.
  • Ensuring equitable access to employment and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Advocating for those we serve within our community and connecting them with care and resources that fit their needs.
  • Fostering organizational values of curiosity and cultural humility while educating ourselves and others about the communities we serve.
  • Partnering with organizations and community members who share our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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These commitments do not have deadlines—there is no end to the work of achieving equity and belonging for all people.

VOA Alaska’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee exists to ensure these commitments are upheld throughout all areas of our work and to facilitate the growth of our organizational and individual understanding.

For more information about the core beliefs that guide the mission of VOA Alaska, please read Our Philosophy of Care.

Definitions

Diversity refers to the spectrum of individual cultures, identities, and experiences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, weight, country of origin, (dis)ability, health status, veteran status, as well as cultural, political, religious, or other group affiliations, to include the lack of an affiliation.

Equity is ensuring every person has the opportunity to achieve their full potential through fair and just practices that acknowledge the diversity of life experiences and identities and address structural inequalities.

Inclusion is the active, intentional, meaningful, and equitable engagement of all people (see diversity above).

Belonging is the experience of feeling connected to others in a way that feels safe, supportive, and meaningful.

How to Report Descrimination

Clients, caregivers, staff, and community members are encouraged to report concerns of discrimination at VOA Alaska and violations of a person’s rights.

It is the policy of VOA Alaska to address all client grievances in a timely and uniform manner. The grievance policy is posted at each facility with the grievance forms and envelopes that are accessible to clients and their families. The grievance policy is also available in the Program Handbook, which is posted on VOA Alaska’s website.

Clients may also submit the grievance in writing, by email, in person, or via telephone. An impartial person will be assigned to help with this process upon request.

VOA Alaska prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. Staff members are encouraged to report discrimination to any supervisor to which they are comfortable speaking, and/or a member of HR or the Compliance Department.

If a staff member wishes to make an anonymous report, they may contact VOA National’s Ethics and Compliance Hotline at 1-800-862-8482.

Members of the community, including donors and partner agencies, who feel they have been discriminated against by VOA Alaska’s staff are encouraged to report discrimination to the Compliance Department by email at compliance@voaak.org or by phone at (907) 764-9461.

If a community member wishes to make an anonymous report, they may contact VOA National’s Ethics and Compliance Hotline at 1-800-862-8482.

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