There are so many emotions filling us right now.  Our nation, our community at-large, and our brothers and sisters face the threat of violence each and every day. As we approach the first anniversary of the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police violence, millions of voices have marched and called for justice, pushing up against systems that are in place that allow this violence and blatant racial bias to take place repeatedly. Most recently, we have witnessed the deaths of 20-year-old Daunte Wright, 13-year-old Adam Toledo, and others. Movement toward accountability starts ​with a conviction, the fight for equal justice ​and protection under the law continues.

In our outrage at the fact that systems are changing at a slow pace, despite the obvious need for reform, Cascadia actively calls for increased collaboration and accountability. The murder of Black and Brown people and the targeting of marginalized populations for minor or non-violent infractions, must stop.

While we work within our own organization to improve our policies and practices to promote equity in service, as well as in the workplace through the implementation of the Protocol for Culturally Responsive Organizations, Cascadia stands committed to uplifting communities and working toward real, systemic change.

We call upon each employee and our partner organizations to reflect on how racism shows up on the job, and within our systems. Equity must be at the forefront of all we do.

We honor all of our Black and Brown employees who have and continue to hold space for our clients week after week. We love you, we see you, we stand with you.