8
• April 2018
Issaquah Highlands Connections
How Do You Practice
‘Inclusion’ In Highlands Council’s 2018 Annual Community Survey, we asked “how do you practice inclusion in Issaquah Highlands?” Over 130 people answered, touching on common themes. While we can actively do more to be inclusive, we are inspired by all the different ways, big and small, Issaquah Highlands residents say they’re trying to make everyone feel welcome. Here are a few of our favorite comments from the survey, answering: How do you practice inclusion in Issaquah Highlands?
“We are a multicultural family and love to see other families celebrate their diverse traditions.” “By loving our neighbors regardless of skin color. We love the diversity in our neighborhood. Our kids are being raised with such diversity around them that they don’t see skin color, they simply see friend, and we praise God for that!”
“Greet everyone with a welcoming smile.” “Reach out to all of my neighbors, even if language differences. Try to invite to play or do things together or see how I can help.”
“We don’t practice it. We live it.” “Diversity is one of the greatest things about the IH. I love that my boys have friends of different backgrounds, and don’t seem to notice the color of skin.”
“Make sure every member of the community feels safe and cared for.” “Make friends with all of my neighbors – regardless of age, race, sex, gender orientation, economic status, religious choice.”
“By educating my kids to choose kindess and respect.” “By simply saying hello to anyone I see and by volunteering in a community club designed to bring people together.”
“Attending different cultural and ethnicity events.” “I don’t believe I actively practice inclusion. It’s simply part of our day-to-day life.” Finally, one response to our survey reminded us that we can always do more to reach out to others and be more inclusive:
“I can’t really practice inclusion because I don’t really feel embraced by the ‘community’ or welcome.”