Diversity at LSNYC
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) are core values of Legal Services NYC and fundamental to our work.
We strive to live those principles every day in serving our clients and working alongside our colleagues. LSNYC’s expansive DEIB infrastructure — including a Citywide DEIB Committee, borough-based DEIB committees, affinity groups, dedicated DEIB programmatic staff, and a Justice Learning Center — provide safe spaces for staff to hold dialogue, exchange ideas, share culture and perspectives, and collectively decide how to move the organization forward.
Our DEIB Principles:
LSNYC is guided by these core Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) principles to ensure we are:
- an accepting, responsive, safe, and fair workplace with a diverse staff at every level
- an organization that embraces equity and challenges structures of oppression and other forms of bias, internally and externally, and in partnership with clients, low-income communities, and other allies
- an inclusive environment in which all employees are able to perform at our best; feel valued, respected, and motivated; contribute views and ideas for improvement; have professional development, leadership and learning opportunities; and challenge each other to continually build this environment and culture
“My commitment to fairness and social justice was deeply influenced by my mother’s experience with disability. Despite being told she ‘didn’t look sick,’ her struggle inspired me to champion Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives. In the heart of New York City, where diversity thrives, our team and clients’ varied backgrounds drive the mission of our DEIB work forward.”
Andrea Payne, DEIB Manager
Diversity in Leadership
At Legal Services NYC, we know that representation matters. Our dedicated staff come from many backgrounds, cultures, and experiences and represent the communities we serve, from our executive leadership team to our support staff. We are proud of our strong, organization-wide diversity and strive to deepen the warmth, sensitivity, and cultural humility with which we engage clients and communities.
A Growing DEIB Infrastructure
DEIB-focused work and programming is constantly evolving at LSNYC, as is the infrastructure needed to support the work. Currently, Legal Services NYC hosts the following structures to facilitate and support our DEIB work:
- A Citywide DEIB Committee
- Borough-based DEIB committees
- Affinity Groups
- Dedicated DEIB staff
- Justice Learning Center
Additionally, LSNYC creates and holds spaces for staff to come together and discuss difficult and ongoing issues facing staff and the communities we serve.
Ongoing DEIB Initiatives:
- Debiased Hiring Practices: LSNYC has committed to debiasing all hiring protocols by standardizing the process for every applicant/interviewee. Recurring interactive workshops hosted by the Justice Learning Center emphasizing fair and balanced hiring practices are circulated org-wide.
- Pronoun Protocols & Training: LSNYC has implemented a pronoun protocol along with staff training to foster an environment of respect, equitable treatment, and acceptance for our clients, employees and communities.
- Affinity Groups: LSNYC hosts 10 total affinity/DEIB groups for employees with shared identities to maintain internal integrity and support in an effort to dismantle oppression and partner with communities by circulating resources and coordinating activities.
- Health & Wellness/Self-Care: LSNYC has invested in wellness initiatives to support the wellness/self-care of all LSNYC employees. These initiatives provide supportive resources and events, such as yoga/meditation seminars, therapy resources, and informative webinars on burnout.
- Investing in Staff’s Growth & Professional Development: The Justice Learning Center’s robust catalog of professional development trainings is available to all LSNYC employees to further their skills and help them grow in their respective roles.
- Applying DEIB Principles in Our Work: LSNYC strives to infuse our DEIB principles in all aspects of our work, including client engagement and representation, community partnerships, media work, strategic planning, hiring, promotion, retention, and staff operations at every level.
- Responsive Support Spaces with a Focus on Cultural Humility: In alignment with our DEIB mission and values and thanks to the collaboration and work of our staff, LSNYC offers support spaces with a focus on cultural humility in response to community needs.
- Diversity Observances: LSNYC recognizes several cultural holidays and provides resources to learn more about any particular observance.
Join us. Demand Justice.
In this extraordinarily challenging moment, your partnership with LSNYC is critical. Please join us by making your gift today.