Equity efforts

WAGAP Equity efforts grow

Including audits, collaboration, training, and partnerships

Bingen, WA (November 28, 2023) - One step at a time, that is how Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is ensuring a deliberate and thorough approach to its dedicated Equity and Inclusion program.

Sasha Bentley is leading the charge as the new Equity and Inclusion director. She is working from the inside out, starting with bringing people together in an equitable and safe work environment. And the team wants to extend these principles to clients and the community.

She is not alone. Prior to bringing Bentley into the role, the board of directors included Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as part of the 2022 Five-year Strategic Plan and formed a DEI statement that pledges “to continue to provide a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment dedicated to strengthening our community by inspiring hope and helping people help themselves.”

The overall goals include providing training, resources, and support, identifying and eliminating barriers, fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect, and implementing strategies and initiatives to promote diversity and representation across all levels of the organization.

It starts with an equity audit and review, which leads to developing and implementing policies, procedures, and practices that promote equity and inclusion. This rolls into training programs as teams collaborate and will, over time, adjust the program for continuous improvement.

“We envision providing training opportunities and practical ways for individuals and organizations to put their newfound knowledge into action,” Bentley said. She is starting with board members and program directors and supporting internal and program equity work. 

One focus area has been supporting partnerships with native community organizations such as the Gorge Native American Collaborative. The WAGAP team helps to bring services to In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites, such as holiday meal delivery and honoring Indigenous Heritage Month each November. Working together with regional partners like The Next Door, Inc., the team also makes programs like Energy Assistance more accessible.

Outreach to a wider variety of community members has been increasing over the past year. Staff have been participating in more resource fairs, and cultural events, helping to build a wider network along with programs such as the Mobile Food Bank that help to reach even more rural community members. 

The second year of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the El Grito event in White Salmon brought more than 500 people to the park to enjoy music, food, games, and friendship. 

One way Bentley is bringing team members together to be even more inclusive is to create activities that help them understand each other’s programs. During a recent staff day, they held an internal resource fair and did some role-playing to help employees visualize how clients go through the WAGAP system. 

Along the way, a DEI library is being developed, and the team is planning collaborative training with groups like CultureSeed, which will be holding a follow-up training for the community next year surrounding trauma-informed care.

Expressing an ideal employee experience is part of the internal audit that staff have been working on. Bentley wants to go beyond a simple checklist of how things are going now and help mold a better future for team members. She has held internal open houses, interviews, and roundtables to find common themes.

The effort has identified some priorities and introduced new dynamics and workgroups. Employees can participate in an evaluation team, a recruitment panel, a new tech working group, and a policy review committee. This is all part of enhancing collaboration in a more inclusive way.

“The commitment and visionary leadership of the executive staff and board of directors are essential to this work," Bentley said. “WAGAP’s investment in the Equity and Inclusion program is instrumental in driving positive change within our organization and our community.”

Funding for these initiatives comes from various sources, such as the Inatai Foundation and Community Service Block Grants.