THE LOOP A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND CALIFORNIA
FEBRUARY 2023
WestCare Family, This month, we join the entire country, and other countries, in celebrating Black History Month. We do so by honoring all the contributions and achievements of many African Americans that shaped our nation. Whether it was through the discovery of an innovation, medication, or most importantly paving the way for equal rights, their hard work allowed minority groups to be in places and roles of opportunity that were not available previously. In honor of Black History Month, WestCare continues to remain more committed than ever in creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environments. It’s a time to be intentional in reflecting and giving thanks to the incredible individuals who fought for our rights and freedom, often at the risk of their own lives. In addition, it’s time to be further educated about the diverse communities we are a part of and serve, their struggles, their achievements, and their impacts in this world - past and present.
We encourage you to find ways to learn more about Black History Month and share the knowledge gained with your peers, family, and friends.
Mary Ann Knoy, Vice President, WestCare California
ISSUE 117
VOLUME 10
Updates From
OUR CULTURAL DIVERSITY COMMITTEE Thank you, MaryAnn, for allowing space to make a statement on behalf of WestCare California’s Cultural Diversity Committee! Our committee continues challenging ourselves by taking on opportunities to educate others on various different cultures while bringing various kinds of food to every quarterly meeting. We understand that that connections are gained through exchanges of conversations and the food brought to these meetings is a great entry point to beginning various discussions. On MLK Day, our Data department decided to hold a dessert social while talking amongst each other about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. One employee got to benefit directly from the work of Dr. King while she was in high school and shared her experience of what life was like back then through her point of view. Folks who attended the social were in awe of how much of an impact Dr. King made on someone who lived during that time and how schools were affected by the Civil Rights Movement. Overall, this discussion became a significantly huge learning point for everyone. This month, our San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV) team in Fresno visited Vision View, an African American-founded 501C3 non-profit organization that supports minority-owned businesses by providing opportunities and resources that will allow their owners to succeed. Vision View is also part of the Fresno Area Airport District, which is a remarkable relationship to have. Our SJVV team learned more about how Vision View provides services to the people that they serve within the community and gained more awareness of what our greater community has to offer. We constantly make efforts to understand the significance of diversity in the workplace and how that directly affects the services we provide to our clients. On behalf of our committee, we invite you to join us to examine subcultures such as age, religion, ethnicity, and even socioeconomic status. You can get involved with this amazing committee by contacting your program director or myself directly.
DayatraLatin
Dayatra Latin, Director of Operations, WestCare California
w e s tcare.com