For Immediate Release Wednesday, June 15, 2022
For more information contact:
Christa Mannarino
(423) 718-2898
Email: [email protected]
Partnership Announces DEI Policy, Paid Juneteenth Holiday
(Chattanooga, TN) June 3, 2022 – The Board of Directors of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults (Partnership) announces its adoption of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policy that includes the observance of Juneteenth as a paid holiday for agency staff.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy approved by the Partnership Board includes support from the organization’s leadership, staff, volunteers, interns, and constituents. It was crafted to address and improve DEI in four areas: Board Members, Employees, Volunteers and Interns; Leadership Engagement and Planning; Cultural Competency and Humility in Client Services; and External Partnerships and Advocacy. The Partnership is committed to fostering a culture of belonging and believes that DEI is essential to fulfilling its mission. The policy is posted in full on the agency’s website, partnershipfca.com.
“I am proud we have a board that supports our agency values on DEI and voted to pass a policy with action steps ensuring equity in our relationships within and outside our organization,” said CEO Pam Ladd. “One of those action steps is the recognition of Juneteenth as an agency holiday. It reinforces our DEI policy, and allows our staff time away from work to reflect and celebrate this momentous day with family and friends.” Since Juneteenth falls on a Sunday this year, Partnership staff will have that opportunity on Monday, June 20.
Juneteenth is a day to commemorate June 19, the emancipation of enslaved African Americans—and to celebrate African American culture. The holiday, which originated in Texas, has been celebrated in some areas of the U.S. since 1865. It was declared a federal holiday in 2021, but many agencies and businesses do not include Juneteenth on their calendar of paid holidays.
Partnership for Families, Children and Adults is a non-profit organization serving the Tennessee Valley community for 145 years through counseling, crisis intervention and prevention services. Our mission is empowering people and building communities and our vision is to improve the lives of our neighbors through a continuum of emergency, stability and self-sufficiency services so that we have a strong, safe and informed community.
