INCLUSION POLICY
INCLUSION POLICY
St. Francis Neighborhood Center believes that:
1. Every person can make friends
2. Every person can participate
3. Every person can be successful
It is our policy to treat each member of our community with dignity; we practice inclusion in all activities offered including academics, arts enrichment, mentoring, and recreation. We believe that together, staff, volunteers, and youth must create an environment that will nurture the success of persons of any ability, and moreover, that as much as possible, it is the environment, and not the person, that should change to encourage that success.
We strive to accomplish this by developing universally-designed activities and opportunities, providing dignified and appropriate accommodations whenever necessary, supporting staff and volunteers with professional development and education that enhances their ability to lead youth of varying abilities, and educating youth and community members about perspectives of people with varying abilities. We practice, recognize, and reward actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. We recognize that inclusion is a process that is enacted every day, and will continue to grow and become more effective through the efforts of staff, volunteers, partners, and the greater community.
St. Francis Neighborhood Center is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment to students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) through cultivating safe spaces and educational outreach.