Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
A statement from the International Institute of Buffalo:
At the International Institute of Buffalo, we welcome, connect and empower foreign-born people and encourage the region’s support for different cultures. This means we continually celebrate the diverse community created by our staff, board, clients, vendors and supporters. We work towards a future where all Western New Yorkers are free to lead full and productive lives.
We are an agency committed to human rights that works to improve the individual circumstances of our clients. We recognize that structural inequities disproportionately affect our clients.
As an equal opportunity employer, we stay true to our mission by ensuring that the Institute is a diverse and inclusive workplace where we welcome the unique contributions that our staff and board bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, creed, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, familial status, marital status, military status, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, color, religion, genetic characteristics, disability, domestic violence victim status, conviction status and beliefs. This includes fostering an inclusive and respectful work culture and proactively addressing bias and hostility within our organization through intentional dialogues, trainings, and community connection.
Building Equity and Inclusion is an ongoing process. As an organization, we continue to strive to:
- review hiring practices to aspire to achieve the diversity of our clients among our staff.
- engage an internal committee to bring staff voices and expertise to conversations around Equity and Inclusion.
- review vendors and purchasing to ensure that we attempt to support businesses operated by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
- seek out and create partnerships with organizations led by BIPOC when feasible.
- use our voice to advocate for the rights of our clients.