In 2024, the Quality Partnership on Diversity and Inclusion (QPDI) wanted to start the new year by reintroducing our partnership to the agency with a little background by answering the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of QPDI.
WHO
QPDI is an agency partnership open to all Aspire of WNY employees across all positions and divisions of the agency. The current chairs of the Committee Include Dawn Plumb (Community Supports Coordinator), Lori Stein (Sr. FI Coordinator), and Kathryn Miranda-Lyons (Associate Director of Residential Opportunities).
WHAT
In 2020, and after the murder of George Floyd and countless others, Aspire of WNY felt we needed to respond in a meaningful and long-lasting way. Given the climate in WNY at the time and within the community around racial inequality, the Quality Partnership on Diversity and Inclusion (QPDI) was formed here at our agency. We realized that there are many forms of inequality, and thus, the committee was established to highlight all diversity and inclusion efforts.
WHEN
We meet together on Zoom on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 2 PM. This day/time is subject to change depending upon the members’ availability.
WHERE
You will find members all over the agency! We can be reached via Therap User: Committee, QPDI / Committee (Aspire of WNY) & Email: QPDI@aspirewny.org
WHY
The original purpose of the committee was to “guide and hold the agency accountable in the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the work we do at Aspire of WNY.” This has since evolved to “QPDI’s purpose is to nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where we value and recognize our differences and allow them to drive initiatives and solutions to better support people receiving services and our workforce at Aspire of WNY,” after the agency-wide 2021 satisfaction survey that went out and expanded our vision.
If you’re interested in joining our committee, please obtain prior approval from your supervisor and reach out to us.
We can’t wait to continue to work with you and the agency towards a more inclusive and equitable future.
QPDI’s most recent IMPACT: As most of you know, we recently collaborated with Jewish Family Services to provide household goods to refugees resettling in the Buffalo area. We also provided information on Aspire of WNY’s services for newly settled families and job opportunity information.
