Undoing Institutional Racism

Creating a culture of inclusion has been a core value at CV for many years. In 2010, CV’s Undoing Institutionalized Racism (UIR) committee was founded. This longstanding workgroup examines and addresses inequities within CV’s internal systems, advocates for families, and engages with external systems. Recognizing the importance of race relations in institutional settings, the UIR committee fosters a space where race, ethnic differences, color, and boundaries are addressed with honesty and compassion.

Since its inception, the UIR committee has driven significant change, enhancing equity and inclusion across multiple fronts. This has included leading workshops on disproportionality, establishing bilingual positions, advocating for transparency in promotion and hiring practices, and developing trauma-informed protocols addressing racism. Efforts also extend to police involvement with youth, family engagement, and the intersectionality of issues affecting marginalized communities.

Experiential learning journeys have become a cornerstone of youth engagement. Programs like Freedom 60, which explores the history of the Freedom Rides and the Civil Rights Movement, and Sankofa, an educational and spiritual tour of Ghana, West Africa, provide youth with transformative learning experiences rooted in history, identity, and resilience.

The committee’s work incorporates the Structural Racism Theory of Change, recognizing that many families served are cash-poor. By making direct investments in families, CV seeks to decrease child welfare system entries, which disproportionately affect Black and Brown families. This approach reframes family engagement, shifting the culture toward an anti-poverty perspective—one that avoids criminalizing poverty-driven neglect.

CV has deepened dialogue on intersectionality and systemic racism through the establishment of affinity groups (such as the People of Color and White Anti-Racist Ally groups) and hosting Cross Racial Dialogue/Courageous Conversations. These spaces promote shared understanding and mutual accountability among the CV community.

In addition to internal initiatives, the UIR committee engages in external advocacy by educating youth about policies like stop-and-frisk, leading voting rights efforts, disseminating information on immigration rights, and offering “Know Your Rights” trainings.

These efforts reflect CV’s commitment to systemic change and a community-centered approach, fostering equity, inclusion, and partnership with families. The UIR committee exemplifies how intentional focus on structural inequities can transform not only internal systems but also the broader communities served.