Released from YWCA Rock County:

Janesville, WI. – The first annual YWCA Rock County Racial Justice Conference “Building Bridges through Cultural Competency” was held on November 12, 2015 at the Holiday Inn Express/Janesville Conference Center with 230 in attendance from around the region. During the sold out conference, the YWCA Rock County awarded Community Action, Inc. of Rock and Walworth County the Dorothy Height Racial Justice Award for Diversity in the Workplace.

This award recognizes a business within Rock County that has demonstrats a commitment to cultural diversity in its workplace. The business must also exhibit a sustained commitment in the pursuit of cultural diversity, inclusion and retention in the workplace. Leading by example, this business is transforming our diverse community into a truly inclusive environment where employees are valued for their talent and are able to reach their full potential.

The prestigious award is named after civil rights and women’s rights activist, Dorothy Height, who was one of the organizers in 1963 of the famed March on Washington with Martin Luther King. She also worked for the YWCA for four decades.
Barbara Hickman of Beloit, states in her nomination of Community Action, Inc., “I have observed first hand by being a presenter to staff, holding and attending meetings at their Community Action Pathways Center their commitment to racial justice. Community Action always goes above and beyond making sure all are treated and served equally.”

In 2010, Community Action began a journey supported by the Board of Directors to develop cultural competencies across the agency. Efforts to date have included an assessment of the agency regarding cultural competency, trainings, revision of staff’s job descriptions, development of workplace diversity expectations and leadership support in the formulation of a strategic agenda for continuing the work.

“We are proud to present the outstanding staff at Community Action, Inc. of Rock and Walworth County with our very first Dorothy Height Racial Justice Award for Diversity in the Workplace and applaud the important work they do in our community”, said Angela Moore, Executive Director of the YWCA Rock County.
Accepting the award was Jennifer Wood, CAI. Board President and Marc Perry, Community Action, Community Program Director.