The Equity Institute
WHY THE EQUITY INSTITUTE?
Evanston and the North Shore are diverse communities rich in culture and history and some of the most desirable places to live in our region. But our communities and systems have not, and are not always, set up to give everyone an equitable chance to succeed. This aspect of history has created lasting inequities affecting communities to this day.
Over the last 10 years, YWCA has created programs and events for our neighbors and partners to connect with one another and engage in difficult conversations around race, gender, and injustice.
HOW WILL WE INCREASE EQUITY?
The inequities we face are deep-rooted and pervasive-the result of a centuries-long legacy of systemic racism and oppression. There is no single approach to address these complex challenges. The Equity Institute creates programs that foster real change and action across four levels:
Individuals: Empowering people to become more self-aware about how they are showing up in the world, recognize the forces of inequity around them, and take action to learn more and become more culturally conscious and responsive.
Organizations: Helping organizations live up to their highest stated values and work to create workplaces that engage consistently in equitable institutional practices. This includes leadership practices that allow leaders to be more culturally conscious and responsive to the needs of their teams and to the people and clients they serve.
Communities: Building inclusive and welcoming communities and neighborhoods that recognize and respect the inherent dignity of all human beings.
Systems: Advocating for laws and policies that address systemic inequities to benefit many, not just a few.
We work alongside members of our communities to create and advance solutions across all four levels.
Start or continue your racial equity journey here.
Contact the Equity Institute team to learn more!
Roger Moreano (he/him/él), Senior Director of Institutional and Community Equity - EMAIL | PHONE: 224-420-3254
-
Equity Institute Signature Events
These events are free to the public and welcome all.
-
Advocacy & Blog
Explore our blog and get updated on the latest news within our organization and beyond, in the community!
-
Evanston & North Shore Community Resources & Events
Get acquainted with our neighbors doing amazing work locally!
-
YWe Lead: Professional Consulting & Training
We offer opportunities for organizations and community members to obtain professional consulting and trainings.
-
Resource Library
Explore our resource library to find videos, books, podcasts, and local resources to deepen your understanding of equity.
“The YWCA is able to ask the tough questions. And they are able to allow room and space in a very comfortable environment to have those discussions so that people feel comfortable and courageous. They bring different people to the table to have difficult conversations around equity and around racial justice that Evanston has never had the platform to do before.”
Monique Parsons, McGaw YMCA President/CEO
Final Note ↘
Our racial equity programs will:
deepen the knowledge that individuals can utilize to become more effective anti-racist advocates
help build commitments to policies and practices that create long-term, sustainable change
invite open dialogue and discussion towards mutual understanding raise awareness of oppression on the interpersonal, institutional, and systemic levels
We invite you to email or call the Senior Director of Institutional and Community Equity, Roger Moreano at rmoreano@ywca-ens.org to learn more. And we encourage you to live the mission with us.
Listen and learn more from our racial equity educators!
Learn more about our young men’s leadership and “Building Healthy Relationships” programs by listening to this “It’s Skokie” podcast. It features Antonio Rice (Violence Prevention Educator) and Eileen Hogan Heineman (Former Manager, Equity Institute Community Outreach) talking about our violence prevention and racial equity work in Skokie — programs which are available in many other communities in northeastern suburban Chicagoland.